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Well-Being: Objectivism, Subjectivism or Sobjectivism?

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  • Andrew MacLeod

Abstract

Well-being is defined in a range of different ways, most notably in the psychological and philosophical literatures. A dimensional scheme is presented that locates the variety of approaches to well-being according to how much they define it by a person’s positive subjective state as opposed to requiring the presence of a range of other, more objective life goods (e.g., achievement, relationships, etc.). Adopting a dimensional model allows variations from the traditional subjectivist and objectivist positions, including a variety of mixed subjective and objective (sobjective) positions. Sobjectivist positions vary in the relative weighting of feeling states and more objective elements, as well as how these two different elements are seen as relating to each other. The dimensional model also has the important effect of enabling psychological and philosophical thinking about well-being to be integrated despite their differences in emphases and concerns. A number of different ways that these two aspects can be combined are outlined, including a two-tier model with happiness as a final good and other goods having value to the extent that they lead to happiness. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew MacLeod, 2015. "Well-Being: Objectivism, Subjectivism or Sobjectivism?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 16(4), pages 1073-1089, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:16:y:2015:i:4:p:1073-1089
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-014-9561-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christopher Peterson & Nansook Park & Martin Seligman, 2005. "Orientations to happiness and life satisfaction: the full life versus the empty life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 25-41, March.
    2. Richard M. Ryan & Veronika Huta & Edward Deci, 2008. "Living well: a self-determination theory perspective on eudaimonia," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 139-170, January.
    3. Dianne Vella-Brodrick & Nansook Park & Christopher Peterson, 2009. "Three Ways to Be Happy: Pleasure, Engagement, and Meaning—Findings from Australian and US Samples," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 90(2), pages 165-179, January.
    4. Jason Raibley, 2012. "Happiness is not Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 13(6), pages 1105-1129, December.
    5. Antonella Delle Fave & Ingrid Brdar & Teresa Freire & Dianne Vella-Brodrick & Marié Wissing, 2011. "The Eudaimonic and Hedonic Components of Happiness: Qualitative and Quantitative Findings," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 100(2), pages 185-207, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sabrina Intelisano & Julia Krasko & Maike Luhmann, 2020. "Integrating Philosophical and Psychological Accounts of Happiness and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 161-200, January.
    2. Svenja Damberg & Lena Frömbling, 2022. "“Furry tales”: pet ownership’s influence on subjective well-being during Covid-19 times," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(5), pages 3645-3664, October.
    3. Delhey, Jan & Steckermeier, Leonie C., 2016. "The Good Life, Affluence, and Self-reported Happiness: Introducing the Good Life Index and Debunking Two Popular Myths," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 50-66.
    4. Carolina Ortega Londoño & Daniel Gómez Mesa & Lina Cardona-Sosa & Catalina Gómez Toro, 2019. "Happiness and Victimization in Latin America," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(3), pages 935-954, March.

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