The eminent Irish pugilist, Kellie Harrington, after winning her second Olympic gold in 2024 held in Paris, reiterated during ensuing interviews that her dominant purpose in life is the pursuit of joy. The majority naturally appear to regard the quest for happiness as an essential life aim. However, it is noteworthy that in some non-WEIRD societies (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic), such as Japan, bliss does not hold a crucial position as a goal. This doesn’t imply that individuals from non-WEIRD cultures have inadequate mental fortitude.
The field of psychology often equates subjective wellbeing to happiness, thereby highlighting the need to further elucidate factors contributing to a sense of wellbeing. Emma Young summarises related research in a recent edition of The Psychologist, discussing the existence of elements to life beyond mere happiness.
The Global Happiness Report utilises a scale of 1 (denoting “worst possible life”) to 10 (“best possible life”) for assessing happiness and identifies six interconnected factors, which include GDP per capita, longevity with good health, and a reinforced social support system. These factors show a good correlation with happiness ratings globally. This report associates the feeling of happiness with having a satisfying life, and it is observed that people from countries with stronger WEIRD attributes place more emphasis on higher degrees of happiness.
But should the pursuit of happiness be our ultimate goal? Rather paradoxically, some evidence, referenced by Young, suggests we shouldn’t. Certain studies reveal that the struggle to attain happiness can create a sense of urgency and scarcity of time, which can, in turn, trigger unhappiness, and thus obstruct the realisation of wellbeing.
Finally, when considering the strategies to attain happiness, some believe that materialistic acquisitions hold the key, while others conjecture that engaging in and cherishing enthralling experiences bring joy. Various studies demonstrate that experiences tend to bring more happiness than material possessions.
The root of happiness is surprisingly subjective, with cultural, religious, and environmental factors predominantly shaping what people consider as happiness. For instance, in countries classified as WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic), researchers have found that practising Christians tend to express higher happiness levels than those without religious affiliations. This has been attributed to the belief that religion imparts greater meaning and purpose in life.
Conversely, Buddhist societies harbour a wariness towards the pursuit of personal happiness, apprehending the potential for interpersonal harm and neglect. Japanese culture, deeply entrenched in Buddhism, exemplifies this lower emphasis on personal happiness compared to Western societies. There’s a similar apprehension voiced in some non-western cultures, where happiness is feared as it’s believed to invite subsequent sadness. Likewise, Islamic teachings generally advise restraint in the pursuit of happiness.
Further studies asking participants to detail their ideal life reveal additional cultural divergences. While values such as family, employment, and financial stability are universal, discrepancies arise when considering aspects like freedom, love, companionship, peace, and personal interests. Whereas Americans value the former, Japanese primarily value the latter, while Indians prioritize tranquillity.
Fascinatingly, the heightened focus on happiness in WEIRD societies could stem from their more comfortable living environments, relatively free from threats such as disease or drastic climate changes. Therefore, individuals in these societies have more resources to dedicate towards the achievement of happiness, beyond just their everyday survival.
However, even though the prize of happiness is not universally coveted, it doesn’t negate its potential benefits. In WEIRD societies, there is evidence linking happiness with improved mental and physical health. Unfortunately, this correlation is missing in cultures such as Japan. Yet, there’s evidence suggesting that Americans with higher levels of happiness tend to have healthier cholesterol levels – a relationship absent in Japanese society.
In conclusion, personal welfare and happiness are significantly moulded by our respective cultural, environmental, political, and religious contexts – proving there’s no standard recipe for happiness.
As a parting thought, here’s a little humour: What happens when you mix a lawyer with the Godfather? You’re left with an incomprehensible proposal.
William Reville, a biochemistry professor emeritus at UCC, echoes this sentiment.