Integral Perspective on Happiness
Uotinen, Joonas (2015)
Uotinen, Joonas
The Donner Institute, Åbo Akademi
2015
Kuvaus
Joonas Uotinen, University of Turku
The author is a PhD student in Economics in the University of Turku. He has a BSc in theoretical physics with a dissertation on ‘The End of the Universe'’, and is a Master in Specialized Economic Analysis from Barcelona Graduate School of Economics with a specialization in economic development. His recent interests are the aim of it all, namely, well-being and happiness, both societally and individually, and the validity of economic theory. The author has given talks and presentations on related issues. Initial postgraduate publications are forthcoming.
The author is a PhD student in Economics in the University of Turku. He has a BSc in theoretical physics with a dissertation on ‘The End of the Universe'’, and is a Master in Specialized Economic Analysis from Barcelona Graduate School of Economics with a specialization in economic development. His recent interests are the aim of it all, namely, well-being and happiness, both societally and individually, and the validity of economic theory. The author has given talks and presentations on related issues. Initial postgraduate publications are forthcoming.
Tiivistelmä
A happiness science has emerged amidst, and spans, the social sciences. This research, despite the long philosophical tradition on happiness, is in its infancy and a robust theory of happiness is called for. I will review parts of the literature and some of the main happiness theories using Ken Wilber’s Integral approach. I will concentrate largely on Aristotle’s eudaimonia, as that has re-emerged into the centre of happiness discussions as a possible contender for the prevailing subjective happiness theories. The Integral approach seems to provide valuable insights into many happiness theories, juxtapose them in a comprehensible way, pinpoint deficiencies, and propose enhancements. Amongst other things, I will propose a new happiness theory combining John Kekes’ happiness theory with ecological ethics and I will conclude that enlightenment proves to be a good candidate for the ultimate good, or summum bonum, I will enlarge on Aristotle’s theory and propose that Wilber’s theory provides an ‘Integral road map towards eudaimonia enhanced – the enlightenment’. I will argue that eudaimonia and enlightenment, though superficially dissimilar, accord in surprising ways, to a great extent. I will discuss whether the discussion of happiness and morality is critically biased, and I will discuss the societal implications that Wilber’s conception of the human might have through its implications for happiness theories.