Happiness in the Hands of Empirical Economists

Peder J. Pedersen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In a discussion of what characterize a good human life the concept of happiness and what determines happiness is important. Since the late twentieth century economists and other social scientists have shown a fast-growing interest in happiness defined as self-reported well-being. Many contributions have analyzed the relationship between happiness and economic factors, especially income, and other relevant background factors. An initial conviction of no relationship between happiness and income – seen as a paradox in economic terms – has changed to a recognition of a dominantly positive relationship. At the same time several studies find a number of other factors such as age, gender, civil status, income distribution, health and education to be equally, or more important. The chapter gives a survey of this literature.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMarket, Ethics and Religion : The market and its limitations
EditorsNiels Kærgård
Number of pages13
Place of publicationCham
PublisherSpringer
Publication date2023
Pages71-83
ISBN (Print)978-3-031-08461-4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
SeriesEthical Economy
Volume62
ISSN2211-2707

Keywords

  • Easterlin paradox
  • Happiness
  • Income
  • Inequality
  • Self-reported well-being

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