James Hamblin utilizes ethos, logos, and pathos to effectively argue that experience rather than material possessions brings true happiness. He begins by providing statistics pertaining a wondering mind and the negative effects it can have on our mental status. According to psychologist Matthew Killingsworth “it is not good for [ones’] well-being to have a wandering mind” (Hamblin, James, 2014, para. 1). Daniel Gilbert claims “a wandering mind is an unhappy mind” Hamblin continues to discuss the idea that money cannot buy happiness in terms of material possession but it can in terms of experiences. He defends this by explaining that it is more difficult to compare experiences than it is material possessions. Hamblin mentions Killingsworth’s definition of happiness is “moment to moment experience” and he uses a variety of rhetorical devices to display this idea and paint this picture for us.
Hamblin begins by using an appeal to ethos by providing knowledge from other creditable persons by mentioning Killingsworth and Gilbert, containing degrees in psychology, as well as providing personal information. James Hamblin is a MD and has completed 3 years of medical …show more content…
He creates stories for us to understand his point, these stories are mentioned above, standing in 2 different lines: one for material possessions and the other for an experience. As well as interesting quotes such as “Maybe we should destroy our material possessions at their peak, so they will live on in an idealized state in our memories?” and “At least my computer and I get to spend more time together because it’s working so slowly” (Hamblin, James, 2014, para. 9) and even “…well, at least my computer is malfunctioning!”. James Hamblin uses ethos (credibility), logos (statistics), and pathos (stories/quotes) while writing his article to prove to us happiness comes from buying experiences not material
Hamblin begins by using an appeal to ethos by providing knowledge from other creditable persons by mentioning Killingsworth and Gilbert, containing degrees in psychology, as well as providing personal information. James Hamblin is a MD and has completed 3 years of medical …show more content…
He creates stories for us to understand his point, these stories are mentioned above, standing in 2 different lines: one for material possessions and the other for an experience. As well as interesting quotes such as “Maybe we should destroy our material possessions at their peak, so they will live on in an idealized state in our memories?” and “At least my computer and I get to spend more time together because it’s working so slowly” (Hamblin, James, 2014, para. 9) and even “…well, at least my computer is malfunctioning!”. James Hamblin uses ethos (credibility), logos (statistics), and pathos (stories/quotes) while writing his article to prove to us happiness comes from buying experiences not material