The Challenge to Define Happiness
“Happiness is not a state like Vermont,” said Abraham Maslow. Or maybe it is but sometimes we’re stuck in New Jersey.
Happiness is an inescapably weighty yet nebulous concept whose meaning varies by individual and has even changed across time with cultural evolution and societal shifts. That’s not a definition. It’s a set of facts that help illustrate how ambiguous and elusive any definition is.
In my recently begun year-long exploration of the nature of happiness, what contributes to it, and the human desire to achieve it, a definition of the term seems useful, if not vital. So as a starting point, I’ve gathered some scientific thoughts and lay definitions to form a basis to begin at least starting to prepare to cogitate on the question.
(This article does not offer a definitive answer, nor does it touch on how or whether happiness can be achieved. We have a year to work on all that.)
Long & Short of It
Psychologists are the first to admit the word “happiness” is ambiguous. They prefer terms like “subjective well-being,” or “life satisfaction.” Those are no doubt important research terms, but they’re synonyms, not definitions.
