What is happiness? A philosopher looks for answers

The author explores various definitions of happiness in their book “Happiness, Unhappiness, and Chance,” based on their PhD in philosophy.
Happiness is perceived narrowly within positive psychology as a state of well-being or joy.
Happiness sciences quantify happiness through indices like the World Happiness Report, considering factors like GDP and life expectancy.
Capitalist and consumerist views of happiness often focus on materialistic aspirations and lifestyles promoted by social media influencers and algorithms.
These prevalent definitions of happiness often lead to more unhappiness due to the transient nature of joy, impacts of illness, and the trap of taking good things for granted.
The book argues for a more inclusive and philosophical understanding of happiness that encompasses cultural, environmental, and ethical dimensions.
The study seeks to understand if a multifaceted understanding of happiness can motivate a better future, considering justice, caring, and our relationship with the environment.
The author critiques the dominance of consumerism and digital technology in shaping current happiness paradigms, arguing that striving solely for algorithmic-defined happiness is exhausting and counterproductive.