The Path to Happiness

[PoliticalChic]

In is new book, "Coming Apart," Charles Murray discusses how the downward trajectory in the cultural modes of the lower cultural class result in less 'social capital," and, ultimately, less happiness.

Murray states that there are four areas, what he calls 'domains,' are the the determiners of ones' happiness.

As per Aristotle, happiness consists of lasting and justified satisfaction with life as a whole. These are the four domains through which humans achieve deep satisfaction, happiness: family, vocation, community and faith.

a. Family happiness is the same as a happy marriage; 58% of those in a happy marriage said their lives were very happy. This compares with 8% who said their marriages were ‘not too happy.’

b. Vocation is more than job. It can be what one does, or one’s cause…Homemakers were the highest proportion of people with high work satisfaction, and were very happy.

c. Faith. None of the data is as definitive as this. The more attached to faith, as defined by belief and how many services one attend, the more self-described as ‘very happy’ with life.
More than once a week attendance, 49% very happy; down to never attends, 23% very happy. The graph he produces shows a direct relationship.

d. Community. The survey measures everything from levels of giving blood, to hanging out with friends, to participating in various groups and associations, to levels of trust, to participation in group arts and group sports, to the diversity of our friendship patterns. High levels of community involvement were consistently associated with “very happy.”


Far too personal to ask if anyone here is happy or unhappy with life, but wondering if the four domains he mentions would be your view, as well.

 

[code1211]

In is new book, "Coming Apart," Charles Murray discusses how the downward trajectory in the cultural modes of the lower cultural class result in less 'social capital," and, ultimately, less happiness.

Murray states that there are four areas, what he calls 'domains,' are the the determiners of ones' happiness.

As per Aristotle, happiness consists of lasting and justified satisfaction with life as a whole. These are the four domains through which humans achieve deep satisfaction, happiness: family, vocation, community and faith.

a. Family happiness is the same as a happy marriage; 58% of those in a happy marriage said their lives were very happy. This compares with 8% who said their marriages were ‘not too happy.’

b. Vocation is more than job. It can be what one does, or one’s cause…Homemakers were the highest proportion of people with high work satisfaction, and were very happy.

c. Faith. None of the data is as definitive as this. The more attached to faith, as defined by belief and how many services one attend, the more self-described as ‘very happy’ with life.
More than once a week attendance, 49% very happy; down to never attends, 23% very happy. The graph he produces shows a direct relationship.

d. Community. The survey measures everything from levels of giving blood, to hanging out with friends, to participating in various groups and associations, to levels of trust, to participation in group arts and group sports, to the diversity of our friendship patterns. High levels of community involvement were consistently associated with “very happy.”


Far too personal to ask if anyone here is happy or unhappy with life, but wondering if the four domains he mentions would be your view, as well.

Surveys like this are interesting, but may be a reverse indicator. That there are happy people who have these interests is interesting, but it is not a guarantee that having these interests will produce happiness.

Being happy with all four of those items indicates a person who knows where he is , what he wants and what his goals are.

Having those qualities, absent the ones he surveys will produce, I think, the same results.

However, being unhappy in some or all of those categories of life probably indicate a time of uncertainty and the probable change of direction in the near future. Any life change is unsettling and therefore a happiness reducer.

 

[RonPaulLiberty]

Interesting. Looks like society now is screwing all 4 domains

family - divorce rates up like crazy
vocation - no jobs at all
community - everybody just stays home and looks out for #1
faith - rise of atheism

 

[Mr. H.]

My path to happiness...

"Every day is a journey, and the journey itself is home".

Matsuo Basho

 

[Montrovant]

I think he missed recreation.

 

[AquaAthena]

In is new book, "Coming Apart," Charles Murray discusses how the downward trajectory in the cultural modes of the lower cultural class result in less 'social capital," and, ultimately, less happiness.

Murray states that there are four areas, what he calls 'domains,' are the the determiners of ones' happiness.

As per Aristotle, happiness consists of lasting and justified satisfaction with life as a whole. These are the four domains through which humans achieve deep satisfaction, happiness: family, vocation, community and faith.

a. Family happiness is the same as a happy marriage; 58% of those in a happy marriage said their lives were very happy. This compares with 8% who said their marriages were ‘not too happy.’

b. Vocation is more than job. It can be what one does, or one’s cause…Homemakers were the highest proportion of people with high work satisfaction, and were very happy.

c. Faith. None of the data is as definitive as this. The more attached to faith, as defined by belief and how many services one attend, the more self-described as ‘very happy’ with life.
More than once a week attendance, 49% very happy; down to never attends, 23% very happy. The graph he produces shows a direct relationship.

d. Community. The survey measures everything from levels of giving blood, to hanging out with friends, to participating in various groups and associations, to levels of trust, to participation in group arts and group sports, to the diversity of our friendship patterns. High levels of community involvement were consistently associated with “very happy.”


Far too personal to ask if anyone here is happy or unhappy with life, but wondering if the four domains he mentions would be your view, as well.

A very interesting topic, PC.

I have read, and agreed with, the happiest group of people are those who are working for compensation and the second happiest group of people are those who do volunteer work.

I like to think that a happy person is one who sees the glass as half full or full. These people have attitudes of gratitude and I am proud to be amongst all the groups above. Happiness is a habit one can stay in, if they try. It does not come without effort, but is the result.