The theory of happiness in the 21st century: In search of the socioeconomic foundations

Abstract

The article considers the modern revision of the problem of happiness in philosophy, economics, social policy and architecture. It shows that in the 21st century interest has increased in studies of external socioeconomic, environmental and urban planning aspects of happiness. In the article, this view is called externalistic and is contrasted with the earlier internalistic approaches that searched for and developed the internal (mindset-dependent) foundations of happiness. Examples of effective social and economic policies aimed to design external conditions for social well-being and happiness are considered. In the context of modern socioeconomic research, relevant philosophical approaches to happiness and conditions for its achievement are revised. The article juxtaposes theories of happiness as peace of mind and happiness as the pursuit of a dream (self-realization). The second paradigm is actively popularized in the modern society and in business management; however, it gives rise to people's overestimated expectations from and impracticable requirements for themselves. The results of recent research in the field of “happiness economics” demonstrate that happiness has scaled up in recent years from a private task of an individual to a system task that needs to be solved by society and government. Happiness has become a criterion of political and economic efficiency, as well as a significant factor in the company's high productivity and popularity. The article shows that both external (economic, political, environmental) and internal (philosophical, psychological) factors of happiness are broadly used in modern economic “happiness management”. Special attention in the research is paid to new investigations that reveal the dependence of happiness, as well as others human qualities (like altruism or egoism), on reasonably or unreasonably arranged design of the ur-ban/rural environment. The article also stresses that, among Silicon Valley developers, millionaire entrepreneurs and founders of large companies in the United States, the ideas of Stoic philosophy have gained great popularity. This philosophy is used as an effective “operating system” in conditions of constant stress and as a “mental tool” to overcome the fear of death. Stoic ideas of “negative thinking” and “defensive pessimism” are given in the article as examples of such “antistress” methods. Finally, the article cites research that show unique cultures in the world in which happiness is not the highest social value. Such studies allow reconsidering the universality of the category of happiness as a common measure of social well-being.