Tasks for the week (Happiness and diversity - cultural and religious)
- Read Chapter 1. “The Netherlands: Happiness is a Number.” - Weiner, Eric. The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World
- Investigates how different cultures and generations define happiness
- Make a two-minute clip of a videotaped / audio interview with one grandparent or someone from a different culture about their views on happiness
- Write two questions about this week’s topic
Task 1 - Summary of Chapter 1. “The Netherlands: Happiness is a Number.” - Weiner, Eric. The Geography of Bliss: One Grump’s Search for the Happiest Places in the World
Eric Weiner’s book is about his travels to 10 countries - some happiest, some not so happy. His main interest was - Not who is happy but where are they happy?
The first chapter of the book is about his stay in the Netherlands (at number 5 as per world happiness report, 2023).
The highlight of his stay is about his meeting with Ruut Veenhoven, Dutch sociologist and a pioneer on the scientific study of happiness. Ruut Veenhoven is the Founding director of the World Database of Happiness.
Some interesting things that I learnt -
- The world, overall, is a happy place (between 5-8 on a ten point scale)
- Neuroscientists have identified the regions of the brain associated with good and bad moods. Parts of prefrontal lobes (the new brain) are activated when pleasant pictures are shown. The more primitive parts of the brain (the limbic system) light up when unpleasant pictures were shown
- Reverse causality (chicken and egg problem for social scientists) - e.g. are healthy people happier or is it that happy people are healthier?
- Extroverts are happier than introverts, Optimists are happier than pessimists, Married people are happier than single, Those who attend regular religious ceremonies are happier than those who do not, College degree holders are happier than those who did not attend college. However, PhDs are less happy than graduates, Busy people are happier
- Many of the happiest countries have high suicide rates
- Many African nations that are facing extreme poverty show that poverty is not conducive to happiness
- Democracies don’t promote happiness but happy places are more likely to be democratic
- Are democracies happier than countries under dictatorships? No. Some former soviet republics like Moldova slipped down after soviet collapse
- Countries like Fiji and Tahiti are not at the top on the happiness chart even though they have the best of the climate (tropical paradises)
- Veenhoven’s research shows that tolerant people tend to be happy
The author is not particularly happy with Sigmond Freud, who shaped the world view about happiness mainly because Freud said - the intention that man should be happy is NOT the plan of creation
The 1974 experiment by philosopher Robert Nozick - It is called the Experience Machine experiment. When asked, would you experience pleasure for the rest of your life?, many were against this because they felt that there is more to life than pleasure.
Task 2 - Investigate how different cultures and generations define happiness
How do different cultures define happiness?
While selecting different cultures for this investigation, I selected countries based on the following criteria -
- Countries facing dictatorship (North Korea, Germany, Libya)
- Communist countries (Russia, China)
- Democratic countries from the three corners of the Lewis model.
Countries facing dictatorship
North Korea (under dictatorship since 1948) (No ranking)
North Korea does not feature in the World Happiness Report but their own survey ranks them at number 2 in the world.
North Korean people’s happiness is shaped by
- Loyalty to the Leadership (the Kim family)
- Contributing to the strength and prosperity of the nation (Juche Ideology)
- The citizens are often told that national security contributes to their happiness
- The definition of happiness is, to a large extent, dictated by the state narrative rather than reflecting the genuine well-being of the population
Germany (under dictatorship during 1933-1945) (ranking - 16 in 2023)
The concept of happiness was influenced and shaped by the ideological and political principles of the Nazi Party
The Nazis promoted a vision of happiness that was closely tied to their racist and authoritarian ideology e.g. Aryan supremacy, Nationalistic pride, Military expansion
Libya (Under Gaddafi during 1969-2011) (ranking - 86 in 2023)
Happiness shaped by their ideology known as the Third International Theory (Socialism, Arab nationalism, and direct democracy)
Some key elements contributing to their Happiness
- Social Programs (subsidized healthcare, education, and housing)
- Public Projects (ambitious infrastructure projects, such as the Great man-made river)
- International Relations (positive developments on the international stage)
Communist countries
China (ranking - 64 in 2023) and Russia (ranking - 70)
The definition of happiness is influenced by the ideology of the Communist Party with emphasis on collective well-being and societal progress e.g.
- Collective achievements
- Economic prosperity
- Access to basic needs
- National pride
- Social equality
- Opportunities for Advancement
Democratic countries from the three corners of the Lewis model
Switzerland (Linear-Active culture) (happiness rank - 8)
For the Swiss, the elements of happiness constitute
- Quality of life
- Economic prosperity
- Natural beauty
- Political Stability
- Educational opportunities
- Tolerance to cultural diversity
- Work life balance
Mexico (Multi-active culture) (Happiness ranking 36)
For the Mexicans, happiness is
- Family and relationships
- Cultural celebrations
- Community and social connections
- Spirituality and faith
- Cuisine and food culture
- Music and dance
Japan (Reactive culture) (Happiness ranking 47)
For Japanese people happiness means
- Harmony and balance in relationships
- Collectivism (well-being of the group above self needs)
- Dedication to work
- Spirituality and Zen philosophy
How do different generations define happiness?
I used Erik Erikson’s 8 stages of life to investigate happiness in different generations
Stage 8 (Integrity vs. Despair) (65 and above)
- Positive evaluation of one's life
- A sense of acceptance, acknowledgment of a life well-lived, with a focus on the meaningful relationships, contributions made, and personal growth experienced over the years
Stage 7 (Generativity vs. Stagnation) (40 - 65 years old)
- Contribution to the well-being of others
- Finding fulfillment in roles such as parenting, mentoring etc.
- A sense of purpose and awareness of the importance of leaving a positive legacy
Stage 6 (Intimacy vs. Isolation) (20 to 40)
- Forming and sustaining meaningful relationships
- Emotional connection with others
- Losing oneself in relationships but finding fulfillment through meaningful connections that enhance personal growth
Happiness defined by different self-help books
- Positive psychology (authors like Martin Seligman etc.)
- Mindfulness (authors such as Jon Kabat-Zinn and Eckhart Tolle etc.)
- Gratitude and appreciation (many)
- Purpose and meaning (authors such as Viktor Frankl)
- Positive affirmations and visualization (authors such as Louise Hay)
- Emotional intelligence and Self-awareness (authors such as Daniel Goleman
- Personal development (many)
- Simplicity and minimalism (authors such as Marie Kondo and Joshua Becker)
- Connection and relationships (authors such as Brené Brown)
- Self-Compassion (authors such as Kristen Neff
Happiness viewed by people born in different zodiac signs
(This is my addition to the study not asked by MIT)
Different people, regardless of their zodiac signs, may define happiness in various ways based on their individual values, experiences, and beliefs.
While astrology can offer general insights into personality traits associated with each zodiac sign, it doesn't dictate how individuals perceive happiness.
Aries (March 21 - April 19): Aries individuals may find happiness in pursuing their passions, taking risks, and being independent
Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Taurus people may define happiness as stability, comfort, and enjoying the sensual pleasures of life, such as good food and beautiful surroundings
Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Geminis might find happiness in variety, mental stimulation, and social connections. They enjoy engaging in conversations and exploring new ideas
Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Cancerians prioritize emotional security, nurturing relationships, and creating a cozy home environment for themselves and their loved ones
Leo (July 23 - August 22): Leos often find happiness in recognition, admiration, and expressing their creativity. They enjoy being in the spotlight and receiving praise for their accomplishments
Virgo (August 23 - September 22): Virgos value order, organization, and self-improvement. They find happiness in achieving their goals, helping others, and maintaining a sense of control over their lives
Libra (September 23 - October 22): Librans seek harmony, balance, and fairness in their relationships and surroundings. They find happiness in creating beauty, cultivating friendships, and seeking justice
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): Scorpios find happiness in deep emotional connections, personal transformation, and experiencing intense passions and desires
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): Sagittarians crave freedom, adventure, and exploration. They find happiness in traveling, expanding their horizons, and pursuing philosophical or spiritual pursuits
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): Capricorns value achievement, ambition, and success. They find happiness in reaching their goals, gaining recognition for their hard work, and building a secure future
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): Aquarians prioritize innovation, originality, and social justice. They find happiness in contributing to causes they believe in, connecting with like-minded individuals, and embracing their uniqueness
Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Pisceans are sensitive, empathetic individuals who find happiness in creativity, spirituality, and connecting with their inner selves. They often seek peace, harmony, and emotional fulfillment.
Task 3 - Make a two-minute clip of a videotaped/ audio interview with one grandparent or someone from a different culture about their views on happiness
Video/ audio tape not available. But here’s what a therapist told me about Happiness.
- Happiness is a decision
- Once you take the decision, you search where to find it (explore) and how to achieve it
- You set short term and long term goals
- You set up the assessment and measurement criteria for happiness
- You start the journey and mark completion of each milestone
- Celebrate after achieving each milestone
Task 4 - Write two questions about this week’s topic
What do the saints and Gurus speak about Happiness?
Do we live in life only for Happiness?
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