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I can't lay my hands on the source just now, but I've read the polar opposite to what you say - measures such as GDP show ongoing progress, whereas measures of
by Boothroid 9y ago
I can't lay my hands on the source just now, but I've read the polar opposite to what you say - measures such as GDP show ongoing progress, whereas measures of happiness looking back hundreds of years (as I say, I cannot lay my hands on the source so cannot attest to the methodology) show that if anything we were happier a few hundred years ago, pre-industrial revolution: less complexity, greater sense of community, stronger familial bonds etc. etc.
- dantheman 9y agoMeasures of happiness are nonsense. They are largely determined by by expectations. Also happiness isn't necessarily the outcome that everyone in society wants. Some may want to maximize happiness -- others may want to maximize something else.
- st0p 9y agoWhat else would be more important to maximize than happiness? Means of getting happiness are a different discussion, and what happiness is might differ from person to person. But why would you e.g. accumulate more money or power if it didn't bring you any happiness?