An Interdependent Approach to Happiness and Well-Being: Evidence, Culture, Education and Sustainability

This open access book examines an interdependent approach to happiness and well-being, one that contrasts starkly with dominant approaches that have originated from Western culture(s). It highlights the diversity of potential pathways towards happiness and well-being globally, and answers calls - voiced in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals - for more socially and environmentally sustainable models. Leading global organizations including the OECD, UNICEF, and UNESCO are now proposing human happiness and well-being as a more sustainable alternative to a myopic focus on GDP growth. Yet, the definition of well-being offered by these organizations derives largely from the philosophies, social sciences, and institutional patterns of Europe and the United States. Across seven chapters this book carefully probes the inadequacy of these approaches to well-being globally and reveals the distorting effect this has on how we imagine our world, organize institutions, and plan our collective future(s). It shares a wealth of evidence and examples from across East Asia - a region where interdependence remains foregrounded - and concludes by provocatively arguing that interdependence may provide a more sustainable approach to happiness and well-being in the 21 st century. A timely and accessible book, it offers fresh insights for scholars and policymakers working in the areas of psychology, health, sociology, education, international development, public policy, and philosophy. This is an open access book. Acknowledgments Contents About the Authors Abbreviations List of Figures 1: Introduction The Search for Twenty-First-Century Happiness Real World Impact The Problems Inherent in Twenty-First-Century Happiness Our Approach Outline of the Book References 2: Happiness: A World Map Are Rich Countries Happier? Going Deeper: The Easterlin Paradox Missing Pieces: What Lies Beyond the Subjective? References 3: Measuring Happiness, Making Policy Defining Happiness Macro/Micro Subjective/Objective Measuring Happiness, Making Policy Global Happiness Indices: How to Compare? National/Local Happiness Indices: Similar Issues? Conclusion: (Mis) Measurement References 4: Culture and Happiness: An Interdependent Approach Defining Culture, Conducting Comparisons Exploring an Interdependent Approach to Happiness and Well-Being What Explains Such Differences? Back to the Differences: Qualities of Happiness and Well-Being References 5: An Interdependent Approach: Manifestations in Cultural Practices Preliminary Considerations: Culture→Mind? Mind→Culture? or Culture⇔Mind? (Mis) Measurement Revisited: Happiness Rankings as Cultural Product (Mis) Measurement, Institutions, and Practices: The Case of Education (Mis) Measurement, Institutions, and Policies: Regional Happiness, Organizational Culture, and Social Capital References 6: Interdependence: Alternative for the Twenty-First Century? New Models for the Twenty-First Century? Globalization, Sustainability, and the Independent Mode The Transition Generation: Youth and Educating the Future of Well-Being Sustainability, Disaster, and Collective Action: Interdependence as Alternative Approach? But Isn’t It Already Too Late...? References 7: Conclusion References Index