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Informing the Sustainable Pursuit of Happiness

Author

Listed:
  • Scott Cloutier

    (School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

  • Michael Angilletta

    (School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

  • Jean-Denis Mathias

    (Université Clermont Auvergne, INRAE, UR LISC, F-63178 Aubière, France)

  • Nuri C. Onat

    (Qatar Transportation and Traffic Safety Center, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar)

Abstract

Although most people want to be happy, the pursuit of happiness involves an overwhelming number of choices and great uncertainty about the consequences. Many of these choices have significant implications for sustainability, which are rarely considered. Here, we present an optimality model that maximizes subjective happiness, which can eventually account for sustainability outcomes. Our model identifies the optimal use of time or energy to maximize happiness. Such models tell people how to invest in domains of happiness (e.g., work vs. leisure) and how to choose activities within domains (e.g., playing a computer game vs. playing a board game). We illustrate this optimization approach with data from an online survey, in which people (n = 87) either recalled or imagined their happiness during common activities. People reported decelerating happiness over time, but the rate of deceleration differed among activities. On average, people imagined spending more time on each activity than would be needed to maximize happiness, suggesting that an optimality model has value for guiding decisions. We then discuss how such models can address sustainability challenges associated with overinvesting (e.g., excessive CO 2 emissions). To optimize happiness and explore its implications for sustainability over long periods, models can incorporate psychological processes that alter the potential for happiness and demographic processes that make lifespan uncertain. In cases where less objective approaches have failed, a quantitative theory may improve opportunities for happiness, while meeting sustainability outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Scott Cloutier & Michael Angilletta & Jean-Denis Mathias & Nuri C. Onat, 2020. "Informing the Sustainable Pursuit of Happiness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-14, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9491-:d:445238
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thomas DeLeire & Ariel Kalil, 2010. "Does consumption buy happiness? Evidence from the United States," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 57(2), pages 163-176, June.
    2. Ruut Veenhoven, 1991. "Is happiness relative?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 1-34, February.
    3. Kennon Sheldon & Sonja Lyubomirsky, 2006. "Achieving Sustainable Gains in Happiness: Change Your Actions, not Your Circumstances," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 7(1), pages 55-86, March.
    4. Scott Cloutier & Alex Karner & Hanna L. Breetz & Parinaz Toufani & Nuri Onat & Sambhram Patel & Siddhanth Paralkar & Erica Berejnoi & Beth Ann Morrison & Jason Papenfuss & A. Davieau Briggs & Cynthia , 2017. "Measures of a Sustainable Commute as a Predictor of Happiness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-15, July.
    5. Christine Vatovec & Haley Ferrer, 2019. "Sustainable Well-Being Challenge: A Student-Centered Pedagogical Tool Linking Human Well-Being to Ecological Flourishing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-8, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jean-Denis Mathias & Nicolas Pellerin & Gustavo Carrero & Eric Raufaste & Michael Dambrun, 2024. "Running on the Hedonic Treadmill: A Dynamical Model of Happiness Based on an Approach–Avoidance Framework," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 1-38, June.

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