Normative dimension
In addition to psychological considerations, there is a normative aspect of positive psychological functioning: in normal course, well-being may be associated with achieving a goal or fulfilling a desire (Dilman, 1982). However, the issue becomes complicated when we look at the fact that our desires too are evaluated in terms of right or wrong. This implies that satisfaction of a desire is not enough, the desire should also be seen as right or legitimate.
In 1982 Dilman, a philosopher, asked:
Is happiness the satisfaction one obtains when one’s desires are satisfied? Is it the capacity to be pleased with what one has or to enjoy what one does? Is the happy person one who enjoys life or one who has attained inner peace? How far does a person’s happiness depend on his state of soul, his values and attitudes to things, and how far on his external circumstances? What can one do to be happy? Can the desire for happiness be anything other than a form of self-seeking? |
To me Dilman’s questions hint towards a number of things on which happiness may depend. He has explored the connection between happiness on the one hand and gladness and joy, contentment or self-acceptance, finding out what one wants or repression of desires, and amelioration of causes of unhappiness on the other.
Toquote(Saint-Paul,2010):
In fact, people always make choices that are not supposed to make them happy but instead are linked to how they view themselves and what goals they have in life: career, status, the transmission of properties, abiding by some community values, etc. For example, an individual could report a low level of happiness because he is concerned about his children. That does not mean that he made the wrong choice by having children. In other words, happiness is only one part of individual welfare, not the whole of it. People own their choices and it is not the government's business to correct those choices in the name of happiness. Thus measured happiness is no more a true measure of welfare than GDP. |
|
