Wilson would probably not agree with Durkheim’s that society limits our needs therefore we can attain them and when we attain them we are happy which is desirable. The very first chapter of his book is spent on discussing these needs/goals that American society sets for us. He speaks about America as being the place where people think happiness is attained through acquisition, and these things acquired, mainly being technologies simply distract us giving people a false reality. In Against Happiness Wilson seems to disagree strongly with these needs that our society has defined for us. Most importantly though, Wilson argues that people are told they need to be happy and that it is the ultimate goal to attain and happiness is a constant bliss
