The Pursuit and Nature of Happiness (original) (raw)
Related papers
Two Philosophical Problems in the Study of Happiness
Journal of Happiness Studies, 2000
In this paper two philosophical issues are discussed that hold special interest for empirical researchers studying happiness. The first issue concerns the question of how the psychological notion(s) of happiness invoked in empirical research relates to those traditionally employed by philosophers. The second concerns the question of how we ought to conceive of happiness, understood as a purely psychological phenomenon. With respect to the first, I argue that 'happiness', as used in the philosophical literature, has three importantly different senses that are often confused. Empirical research on happiness concerns only one of these senses, and serious misunderstandings about the significance of empirical results can arise from such confusion. I then argue that the second question is indeed philosophical and that, in order to understand the nature of (what I call) psychological happiness, we need first to determine what a theory of happiness is supposed to do: what are our theoretical and practical interests in the notion of happiness? I sketch an example of how such an inquiry might proceed, and argue that this approach can shed more light on the nature and significance of happiness (and related mental states) than traditional philosophical methods.
Title of the Paper: Nature and Dynamics of Happiness: A Psychological View
Happiness is understood from different perspectives including environmental, sociological, economical, political and psychological processes. In this paper an attempt is made to interpret the nature and dynamics of happiness from a psychological perspective. In the bottom-up approach to happiness, the general environmental factors like family, marriage, education and income that contribute to happiness are studied whereas in the top-down approach the intraindividual processes that determine happiness are emphasized. It has been found that the major sources of variance of happiness rest with the intraindividual processes. A model of happiness that underlines the importance of cognitive processes, personality processes, motivation and emotional processes are suggested. Distinctive cognitions, specific personality traits, distinctive motivational processes and emotional paths make the individual happy. Finally the importance of situations is examined. The fundamental striving of human beings appears to be one of seeking happiness in life regardless of his race, religion, language or nationality. Individuals everywhere and every time are moved by this zest for happiness. A person who enjoys full happiness can truly say that he has found meaning in life and that his life is at a pinnacle of achievement, a state of self -transcendence. However happiness as a psychological process is not well studied. In the recent years there have been many attempts to study the nature and dynamics of happiness from different perspectives. It is also a matter of happiness that many numbers of researches are being done now in the area of happiness. Is happiness a matter? Even though happiness can be objectified, first and foremost happiness is a subjective experience that originates in the psyche of the individual. In this paper an attempt is made to understand the nature and dynamics of happiness from a purely psychological perspective.
2021
An Inquiry On Happiness Happiness. It is what everyone strives for. Not just momentary, fleeting happiness, but happiness that is lasting. While there are many minor contributors to happiness, lasting happiness largely comes when people, from within, find purpose and meaning doing what they love while socializing with people that they love and care about. In recent years Americans have become less and less happy. This has left many wondering,"Why are people so unhappy?" Before answering this, the question, "What makes people happy?" needs to be answered. People often look for quick fixes for happiness. They think buying that expensive purse will make them happy or drinking too much at a party will give them joy. These things may give someone joy in the moment, but it will eventually wear off and leave a person feeling empty. People often wonder if money will make them happy. Looking at happiness in terms of finances has shown that having money will make a person happier to a point where they can survive and live comfortably, but when a person's income reaches a certain point, happiness is no longer affected. Other professionals look at the components that go into happiness from a psychological standpoint. These findings largely point to social relationships as being one of the biggest factors in a person's happiness. They also conclude that the way people think and interpret different situations influences their happiness levels. When people have a positive and optimistic outlook on life, they tend to be happier. The inquiry on happiness is not new; for thousands of years people have been attempting to figure out how to become happier. Many philosophers tried to do just that. Even though the philosophers relied on their own
Happiness: A Psycho-Philosophical Appraisal
2014
The concept of happiness has been under consideration among philosophers, psychologists, theologians and mystics since a long time. These disciplines have tried to explain the concept in their own respective manners. The purpose of this paper is to examine the theoretical and practical aspects of the notion of happiness. This would explicate two approaches to the problem of happiness: philosophical and psychological to know how to achieve happiness and avoid unhappiness. We claim that happiness is not merely a matter of fate but a skill that can be learnt to groom one’s personality and to lessen pains. This paper deals with following core questions: Is the term ‘happiness’ definable? Is happiness an internal state of mind or the result of external state of affairs?
Happiness: Also Known as “Life Satisfaction” and “Subjective Well-Being”
Handbook of Social Indicators and Quality of Life Research, 2011
Happiness is the main goal; most individuals reach out for a happy life and many policy makers aim at greater happiness for a greater number. This pursuit of happiness calls for understanding of conditions for happiness and for that reason the subject has received much attention in the history of western thought. The study of happiness has long been a playground for philosophical speculation. Due to the lack of empirical measures of happiness, it was not possible to check propositions about the matter. Hence, ...
Resolving the Enigma of Happiness through Review of Related Literature
This paper reviews the contributions of earlier studies in the area of defining and measuring Happiness. The attempt is to examine the extent of the knowledge contribution in these studies sphere and incorporate significant reviews of the patterns of Happiness in various domains. The literature looks into the review of studies on finding the exact definition of Happiness along with its determinants and measurement.
2020
This outstanding book is the introduction to happiness many of us have been waiting for: Clear and accessible, engaging, and remarkably comprehensive. It covers not just the philosophy of happiness but also the science, economics, and policy side of happiness, as well as practical issues about how to be happier, and includes non-Western approaches as well. It is the single best overview of research on happiness, and I strongly recommend it both for the classroom and for researchers wanting to learn more about the field, as well as anyone wishing to understand the state of the art in thinking about happiness." Daniel M. Haybron, Saint Louis University "An engaging and wide-ranging introduction to the study of happiness. The book's perspective is philosophical, and it would be an excellent choice for philosophy courses in ethics or happiness itself. The philosophy here is enriched by well-informed discussions of research in psychology, neuroscience, and economics, which makes it a very fine choice for courses in any field where there is an interest in a philosopher's take on happiness. Indeed, anyone with an interest in happiness-whether or not they are teaching or taking a course-would profit from reading this book. Highly recommended!" Valerie Tiberius, University of Minnesota THE PHILOSOPHY OF HAPPINESS Emerging research on the subject of happiness-in psychology, economics, and public policy-reawakens and breathes new life into long-standing philosophical questions about happiness (e.g., What is it? Can it really be measured or pursued? What is its relationship to morality?). By analyzing this research from a philosophical perspective, Lorraine L. Besser is able to weave together the contributions of other disciplines, and the result is a robust, deeply contoured understanding of happiness made accessible for nonspecialists. This book is the first to thoroughly investigate the fundamental theoretical issues at play in all the major contemporary debates about happiness, and it stands out especially in its critical analysis of empirical research. The book's coverage of the material is comprehensive without being overwhelming. Its structure and pedagogical features will benefit students or anyone studying happiness for the first time: Each chapter opens with an initial overview and ends with a summary and list of suggested readings.