Synopses & Reviews
There is a paradox at the heart of our lives. We all want more money, but as societies become richer, they do not become happier. This is not speculation: It's the story told by countless pieces of scientific research. We now have sophisticated ways of measuring how happy people are, and all the evidence shows that on average people have grown no happier in the last fifty years, even as average incomes have more than doubled.
The central question the great economist Richard Layard asks in Happiness is this: If we really wanted to be happier, what would we do differently? First we'd have to see clearly what conditions generate happiness and then bend all our efforts toward producing them. That is what this book is about-the causes of happiness and the means we have to effect it.
Until recently there was too little evidence to give a good answer to this essential question, but, Layard shows us, thanks to the integrated insights of psychology, sociology, applied economics, and other fields, we can now reach some firm conclusions, conclusions that will surprise you. Happiness is an illuminating road map, grounded in hard research, to a better, happier life for us all.
Synopsis
An illuminating road mapfounded on groundbreaking scientific researchpointing the way to a better, happier life From a distinguished economist and leading figure in the new field of happiness studies comes this revolutionary work addressing the elusive concept of happiness and how we can have more of it. Based on sophisticated, cutting-edge scientific research, Happiness integrates insights gleaned from psychology, neuroscience, sociology, and applied economics to draw surprising conclusions about the true causes of happiness and the means we have to effect it. (Hint: It probably isnt wealth or fame.)
Synopsis
Impressive . . . An excellent job of recounting the collective findings of much of this new science.
The Wall Street Journal
His lively new book . . . will not make conventional economists happy, but it should cause all of us to reflect more deeply on what really makes life worth living.
Robert D. Putnam, author of Bowling Alone
About the Author
Richard Layard is one of Britains best-known economists and world expert on unemployment and inequality. He founded Europes leading economics research center at the London School of Economics and was an economic advisor for the British government.
Table of Contents
Happiness Preface
Part One: The Problem
1. What's the problem?
2. What is happiness?
3. Are we getting happier?
4. If you're so rich, why aren't you happy?
5. So what does make us happy?
6. What's going wrong?
7. Can we pursue a common good?
Part Two: What Can Be Done?
8. The Greatest Happiness: Is that the goal?
9. Does economics have a clue?
10. How can we tame the rat race?
11. Can we afford to be secure?
12. Can mind control mood?
13. Do drugs help?
14. Conclusions for today's world
My thanks
Sources of tables, charts and diagrams
List of annexes
Notes
References
Index