Amanda Ruiz

Ruiz 1

UWRT 1102-17
Mrs. Thomas
9 November 2015

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Reflection
I wanted to try to incorporate my so what and put in an argument. I found this
extensive article that I feel will be a great addition to my thesis. I am realizing that I need to find
more than the required sources, as I feel like a few of my sources did not provide enough new
information. The more research I do, the more difficult it is for me to narrow my focus. I want to
explore all facets of happiness and that is going to be problematic.

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MILLER, A. (2008), A Critique of Positive Psychologyor The New Science of Happiness.
Journal of Philosophy of Education, 42: 591608. doi: 10.1111/j.
1467-9752.2008.00646.x

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Alistair Miller, researcher and author, received his Doctorate in Philosophy of Education
at the Institute of Education at the University College of London in the U.K. His academic
research interests include history, philosophy of liberal education and positive psychology. Miller

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has been cited in numerous publications such as the Encyclopedia of Educational Theory and
The New Vision of Liberal Education: The Good of the Unexamined Life.
This academic paper argues that positive psychology, also referred to the science on
happiness, is based on deceiving arguments. Miller claims there is a failure to define and
properly apply terms, unwarranted generalization and circular reasoning amongst many other
issues. His problem is that positive psychology associates mental health with a particular
personality type instead of demonstrating that positive attitudes explain factors such as success,
achievements and well being, which lead to happiness. In the article, Miller references Martin
Seligmans (from another of my sources) idea that authentic happiness can be achieved if a
person utilizes and develops the positive personality traits they are endowed with, in a
purposeful activity and that an optimistic attitude helps enable a person achieve his/her goals.
Alistair argues that this line of thinking is founded on a highly questionable allegation that the
traits, dispositions, beliefs and values that form a persons attitude or personality, can be
consciously managed or controlled.
Other quotes: Somewhere between Plato and Prozac, happiness stopped being a lofty
achievement and became and entitlement.

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There is, in the psychology of personality types, no suggestion at all that one type is better,
superior, preferable or even happier than another.

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The danger is that instead ofconsidering the social and political measures that might really
improve peoples circumstances, positive psychology offers substitutive recipes for success,
achievement and happiness that ultimately has no substance.
Analysis: Millers take on positive psychology was a very interesting read. It is the complete
opposite of the rest of my sources and will serve as the argument I plant in my paper. This was
the first text I read that did not support the science of happiness and did make me question some
of what I have researched thus far. This paper will appeal to researchers and skeptics of the study
of happiness.