Philosopher: The rational pursuit of happiness is quite different from always doing what one most strongly desires t...

Skylar on April 4, 2020

@emilydemmer, happy to help!

We are looking for the answer choice that must be false.

(B) "Attaining the goal of any desire results in momentary happiness."
This is correct because it must be false. The passage says that "desires are sometimes compulsions" and "compulsions strongly drive a person to pursue goals that offer no happiness even when reached." In other words, we are told that compulsions are desires that do not result in happiness. Therefore, it cannot be true that all desires result in happiness.

(D) "Most people want more than their own personal happiness."
The passage says nothing about this. Therefore, we don't know if it's true- maybe it is, maybe it isn't. However, since we can't definitively say that it must be false, it is incorrect.

Does that make sense? Please let us know if you have any other questions!

liwenong28 on November 9, 2020

Why not E?

Anthony-Resendes on June 1, 2021

@skylar

Is it also safe to say B is also correct because the stimulus said "ordinary desires" result in momentary happiness, not all desires like B states, therefore B cannot be true right?