Here we go the definition of Aristole about happiness:
"...the function of man is to live a certain kind of life, and this activity implies a rational principle, and the function of a good man is the good and noble performance of these, and if any action is well performed it is performed in accord with the appropriate excellence: if this is the case, then happiness turns out to be an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue."
Most of us are often conceived of happiness as a subjective state of mind, as when one says one is happy when one is enjoying a cool beer on a hot day, or is out “having fun” with one’s friends. It is easy enough to see that we desire money, pleasure, and honor only because we believe that these goods will make us happy.
For Aristotle, however, happiness is a final end or goal that encompasses the totality of one’s life. It is not something that can be gained or lost in a few hours, like pleasurable sensations. It is more like the ultimate value of your life as lived up to this moment, measuring how well you have lived up to your full potential as a human being.
Give me your opinions? What is your definition of happiness?
You are learning English. Of course you want to speak naturally, as if you were American or British. But how can you do this? Here are five tips to help.
1 - use ‘get’
‘Get’ is one of the most useful – and most used – words in the English language. English speakers use it all the time! Take a look at this example:
English Learner: What time did you arrive?
Native Speaker: What time did you get there?
‘Get’ has so many meanings. It can mean ‘take’ or ‘buy’. English learners often have trouble using ‘get’ to mean ‘become’:
English Learner: I became angry when the train was late.
Native Speaker: I got angry when the train was late.
In fact, we generally use ‘get’ for temporary situations and ‘become’ for permanent situations.
Temporary: She got bored with the movie.
Permanent: Ralph became a doctor at age twenty-five.
Incorrect: Ralph got a doctor at age twenty-five.
2 - use ‘used to’
‘Used to’ is one of the most useful phrases in English, and it is even easy to pronounce. English learners often get confused when they try to substitute a phrase from their own language:
English Learner: Last time, I smoked a lot.
English Learner: I smoked a lot, but now, no.
Native Speaker: I used to smoke a lot.
Here’s a word of warning. There are two forms of ‘used to’ in English and they both have different meanings and grammatical structures:
Example 1: I used to be a policeman.
Example 2: I am used to eating spicy food.
In example 1, the meaning is ‘in the past, but not now’. In example 2, the meaning is ‘familiar with’.
3 - use ‘managed to’
Here is another phrase that does not translate easily into other languages. As a result, it is difficult for learners to start using. To manage to do something is to succeed in doing it. However, if you use the phrase ‘succeed’ instead, the result sounds clumsy:
English Learner: Did you succeed to find the keys that you lost?
Native Speaker: Did you manage to find the keys that you lost?
4 - use ‘about to’
‘About to’ is a little phrase that is surprisingly useful. Listen out for it and you will be surprised how often you hear it used. We use this phrase to show that something will happen soon. Here is how a native speaker might use it:
English Learner: I think it is going to rain soon.
Native Speaker: It looks like it’s about to rain.
English Learner: I can’t have another coffee. I am going soon.
Native Speaker: I don’t have time for another coffee. I’m about to go.
5 - don’t use ‘very’
Why not use ‘very’? It’s not incorrect at all, but using ‘very’ actually prevents you from applying more descriptive vocabulary. For example, instead of saying ‘very large’, why not say ‘huge’? Instead of saying the food is very good, why not say that it is absolutely delicious? Just to get you started, here are some more phrases that you can use instead of saying ‘very’:
very good - terrific, fabulous, excellent
very bad - awful, terrible, dreadful
very small - tiny, microscopic
very old - ancient
very new - brand-new
very beautiful - gorgeousn
very clean - spotless
Remember at all the times and use its !
Because of the real horrible shit that Pitbull released this year, I want to give everyone the list of my favorite world cup songs, to remain everyone that we always have a good world cup song to hear.
Here is top 5: these songs bring back to me so much good memories.
1) The Cup of Life - Ricky Martin (France 1998)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BkYKwHLXiU
2) Un Estate Italiana - Gianna Nannini & Edoardo Bennato (Italy 1990)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTbMwJMqilI
3) Il Divo and Tony Braxton, “The Time of Our Lives” (Germany 2006)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aOxDHqWyK0
4) Wavin' Flag - K'naan (South Africa 2010 (Unofficial)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTJSt4wP2ME
5) Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) - Shakira, featuring Freshly Ground (South Africa 2010)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRpeEdMmmQ0
Why do you fall in love with one person, rather than another?
Why it is you can walk into a room and everybody is from your background, your same general level of intelligence, your same general level of good looks, and you don't feel pulled towards all of them?
Listen to Helen Fisher on her talk about when our brain is in love. How do it work? How to answer these question above.
Link to the talk:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYfoGTIG7pY
Tip to practice: Take note while listening.
Good luck.
Luis.
