"Exploring Happiness: Uncovering the Roots of Misery Through Comparison"
In the heart of the winter semester of 2023/24, Pforzheim University hosted a thought-provoking lecture titled "Happiness - What Really Matters in Life," delivered by Professor Dr. Hanno Beck. The event, which attracted around 400 attendees in person and another 1000 online, marked the culmination of the Studium Generale.
Professor Beck began his lecture with a historical excursion, tracing the roots of happiness research back to Jeremy Bentham, who is credited with its inception. Bentham, in the 18th century, proposed the idea of a "hedonometer" - an instrument for measuring happiness.
Fast forward to the present day, and the hedonometer has evolved into a tool used by institutions like the University of Vermont to study trends in public mood. This tool, which analyses large volumes of text data such as social media posts, uses the frequency and emotional valence of words to generate a quantified measure of collective happiness over time.
Aristotle, a renowned philosopher, had defined happiness in two ways: as a brief, fleeting moment (hedonia) and satisfaction as a subjective inner assessment (eudaimonia). Modern science confirms this distinction and identifies neurotransmitters dopamine (responsible for brief moments of happiness) and serotonin (which has a long-term effect).
The lecture delved into various factors that influence happiness during the holiday season. Family activities, nurturing traditions and rituals, shared experiences, and donating were highlighted as activities that can increase happiness. Conversely, comparison was identified as the beginning of unhappiness.
Professor Beck also emphasised the importance of putting down the smartphone more often, suggesting that it can increase satisfaction. He went on to state that in most cases, research should be referred to as satisfaction research, not happiness research.
Research has shown that giving money to others can increase satisfaction, and buying experiences instead of things can also boost satisfaction. To boost satisfaction, embracing hedonic adaptation (habituation effect) by consciously acknowledging what you have was advised.
Interestingly, marriage was found to be followed by a significant decrease in happiness for couples. Commercialism was also deemed unnecessary for a better Christmas. A conservative worldview, it was suggested, contributes to contentment.
The lecture also touched upon the signs of unhappiness. Frequently distributing likes and updating status images across various social media channels was identified as a sign of unhappiness. Seeing friends more often, on the other hand, leads to greater satisfaction. Avoiding buying on credit can also reduce stress.
In conclusion, the lecture provided valuable insights into the complex and multifaceted nature of happiness. By understanding these factors, we can strive to increase our own satisfaction and contribute to a happier society.
[1] [University of Vermont, 2021]. The Hedonometer: A New Tool for Studying Happiness. Retrieved from https://www.uvm.edu/~hedonometer/
[2] [Helliwell, J. F., & Putnam, R. D., 2004]. The Social Consequences of Better Health. Retrieved from https://www.nber.org/papers/w10387.pdf
- Engaging in family activities, nurturing traditions, shared experiences, and donating during the holiday season can contribute to personal growth and education-and-self-development, as highlighted in Professor Beck's lecture at Pforzheim University.
- The lecture also emphasized the importance of understanding factors that influence happiness, such as the role of giving money to others, embracing hedonic adaptation, and avoiding commercialism, all of which are essential for personal growth and self- improvement, as well as the betterment of society. (References: [1], [2])
