Cohen

            Comparing and Contrasting is a skill that people of all ages learn. One can compare and contrast everything and anything. For example, a simple item such as a pen to a person’s multiple personalities. This skill is crucial and the upmost importance for everyone. Why? Because knowing the difference between two or more objects are essential to determining the pros and cons of that object. The same thing applies to people’s behavior and personalities. Comparing allows an individual to select multiple things to see which is better in anyway than the other. Contrasting on the other hand is determining the difference between these things.

            In the essay “The Meaning of Life,” Roger Cohen compares two monkeys who undergo the caloric restriction process. Canto, aged 27 was given about 30 percent less calories than his partner Owen, aged 29. I believe Cohen emphasizes more on contrasting rather than on comparing as he announced with an abundance of comments the differences of the monkeys. Cohen claimed “low-calorie Canto looks drawn, weary, ashen and miserable in his thinness, mouth slightly agape, features pinched, and eyes blank. Well-fed Owen on the other hand is a happy camper with a wry smile, every inch the laid-back simian, plump, eyes twinkling, full mouth relaxed, skin glowing, and excluding wisdom.”

            I agree with Cohen that it is necessary to have happiness in life. Regardless of the reason one achieves happiness, whether it be having a delicious meal or achieving a goal that was set; if you’re happy stay happy. I also agree to some extent that eating more will make a living organisms have a longer and happier life. For example, if a person is having high class meals everyday compared to a person eating a slice of pizza every meal. The person eating the high class meals are going to be happier than healthier than individual that is eating pizza. However, if one is eating Mc Donalds compared to the pizza guy. There will be a different opinion because having more Mc Donalds will not make someone liver longer or be happier.