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'''Happiness''' is a [[state]] of [[mind]] or [[feeling]] characterized by contentment, satisfaction, [[pleasure]], or [[joy]].[1] A variety of philosophical, religious, psychological and biological approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources.

'''Happiness''' is a [[state]] of [[mind]] or [[feeling]] characterized by contentment, satisfaction, [[pleasure]], or [[joy]].[1] A variety of philosophical, religious, psychological and biological approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources.

Philosophers and religious thinkers often define happiness in terms of living a [[Goodnes|good]] life, or flourishing, rather than simply as an [[emotion]]. Happiness in this older sense was used to translate the Greek Eudaimonia, and is still used in [[virtue]] [[ethics]].

Philosophers and religious thinkers often define happiness in terms of living a [[Goodness|good]] life, or flourishing, rather than simply as an [[emotion]]. Happiness in this older sense was used to translate the Greek Eudaimonia, and is still used in [[virtue]] [[ethics]].

While direct measurement of happiness presents challenges, tools such as The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire have been developed by [[research]]ers. Positive [[psychology]] researchers use theoretical [[model]]s that include describing happiness as consisting of positive [[emotion]]s and positive activities, or that describe three kinds of happiness: pleasure, engagement, and [[meaning]]. Research has identified a number of attributes that correlate with happiness: relationships and social interaction, extraversion, marital status, employment, [[health]], democratic freedom, optimism, religious involvement, income (but mainly up to the point where survival needs are met), and proximity to other happy people.

While direct measurement of happiness presents challenges, tools such as The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire have been developed by [[research]]ers. Positive [[psychology]] researchers use theoretical [[model]]s that include describing happiness as consisting of positive [[emotion]]s and positive activities, or that describe three kinds of happiness: pleasure, engagement, and [[meaning]]. Research has identified a number of attributes that correlate with happiness: relationships and social interaction, extraversion, marital status, employment, [[health]], democratic freedom, optimism, religious involvement, income (but mainly up to the point where survival needs are met), and proximity to other happy people.

Happiness economics suggests that measures of [[public]] happiness should be used to supplement more traditional economic measures when evaluating the success of public policy.

Happiness economics suggests that measures of [[public]] happiness should be used to supplement more traditional economic measures when evaluating the success of public policy.

==Religious views==

==Religious views==

==Other correlates==

==Other correlates==

Parents are more likely to report being happier than non-parents.[37][38] Happiness is also correlated with the ability to "rationalize or explain" social and economic inequalities. [39]

Parents are more likely to report being happier than non-parents.[37][38] Happiness is also correlated with the ability to "rationalize or explain" social and economic inequalities. [39]

==]In economic thought==

==In economic thought==

Common market health measures such as GDP and GNP have been used as a measure of successful policy. Some economists argue that although on average richer nations tend to be happier than poorer nations, beyond an average GDP/capita of about $15,000 a year, studies indicate the average income in a nation makes little difference to the average happiness of the people in the nation.[40][41] It has been argued that happiness measures could be used not as a replacement for more traditional measures, but as a supplement.[42]

Common market health measures such as GDP and GNP have been used as a measure of successful policy. Some economists argue that although on average richer nations tend to be happier than poorer nations, beyond an average GDP/capita of about $15,000 a year, studies indicate the average income in a nation makes little difference to the average happiness of the people in the nation.[40][41] It has been argued that happiness measures could be used not as a replacement for more traditional measures, but as a supplement.[42]

Indeed it has been argued that happiness at work is the one of the driving forces behind positive outcomes at work, rather than just being a resultant product.[43]

Indeed it has been argued that happiness at work is the one of the driving forces behind positive outcomes at work, rather than just being a resultant product.[43]

==References==

==References==

# Władysław Tatarkiewicz, Analysis of Happiness, The Hague, Martinus Nijhoff, 1976

# Władysław Tatarkiewicz, Analysis of Happiness, The Hague, Martinus Nijhoff, 1976

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://pursuit-of-happiness.org/pursuit-of-happiness/history-of-happiness History of Happiness] - concise survey of influential theories

* [https://pursuit-of-happiness.org/pursuit-of-happiness/history-of-happiness History of Happiness] - concise survey of influential theories

* [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pleasure/ The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry "Pleasure"] - ancient and modern philosophers' and neuroscientists' approaches to happiness

* [https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pleasure/ The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry "Pleasure"] - ancient and modern philosophers' and neuroscientists' approaches to happiness

* [http://worlddatabaseofhappiness.eur.nl/ The World Database of Happiness] - a register of scientific research on the subjective appreciation of life.

* [https://worlddatabaseofhappiness.eur.nl/ The World Database of Happiness] - a register of scientific research on the subjective appreciation of life.

* [http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/what-is-happiness-and-how-to-get-more-of-it-770547.html What is Happiness?] an article showing a different view on happiness.

* [https://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/what-is-happiness-and-how-to-get-more-of-it-770547.html What is Happiness?] an article showing a different view on happiness.

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Psychology]]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]