The definitions of health, happiness and well being are defined in different terms due to the way these terms due to the multitude of influences by philosophers, sociologists and psychologist. This paper aims at distinguishing between happiness, health and well being as well as looking into existential therapy to determine which of these concept relates closer to how a person practices existential principles in every day life.
Distinguishing happiness from health
Aristotle described happiness as a virtue and not at all related to health as it was far from being an ‘excellence’ and happiness was an ultimate end. The definition of health has evolved over time from the medical model as being simply an absence of disease to a definition …show more content…
In some approaches, ‘happiness’ is a synonimin of well-being and identified as ‘subjective well being’ by Diener and followers. Seligman, in his book Flourishing differentiates happiness from wellbeing by stating that happiness is about life satisfaction and about maximising positive emotions whilst well being is divided into five pillars; positive emotion, positive relationships, meaning and accomplishment. Victor Frankl, a leading psychiatrist, would argue that there is more to well being. Frankl lived in a concentration camp, and describes his feeling of euphoria, happiness in liberation had fleeted fast when he realised his world had changed, his close family had died. Frankl experienced well being through his trancsendent experience, connectedness, engagement and value to others. Research shows that spirituality and connectedness were associated with greater well being and less physical suffering. Frankl suggest that we cannot pursue happiness as this will drive it away but we can pursue meaning and authenticity, this would be closer to well …show more content…
Each of these dimensions offer an opportunity to shape our attitude from our experience. The physical world, relating to the physical self and environment , The social world, suggests living in ‘good faith and not what others expect of them whilst connecting and caring for others, The psychological dimension entails our character traits and freedom and The spiritual level includes self-transcendent ideal as in Frankl case finding ultimate meanings. These dimensions offer depth and well being would the most suitable in evaluating outcomes of existential therapy as it relates closer to how a person practices existential principles in every day life.
Mount et al. (2007). Healing Connections: On Moving from Suffering to a Sense of Well-Being undertook a phenomenological study to explore the relevance of the existential and spiritual domains to suffering, healing, and quality of life (QOL). Drawing on a purposive sample of 21 participants, four types of ‘healing connections’ involving a sense of bonding to Self, others, the phenomenal world, and ultimate meaning, respectively, were identified. The result found that the participants were situated in a context that was greater and more enduring than the self, thus leading to enhanced meaning and Quality of
Distinguishing happiness from health
Aristotle described happiness as a virtue and not at all related to health as it was far from being an ‘excellence’ and happiness was an ultimate end. The definition of health has evolved over time from the medical model as being simply an absence of disease to a definition …show more content…
In some approaches, ‘happiness’ is a synonimin of well-being and identified as ‘subjective well being’ by Diener and followers. Seligman, in his book Flourishing differentiates happiness from wellbeing by stating that happiness is about life satisfaction and about maximising positive emotions whilst well being is divided into five pillars; positive emotion, positive relationships, meaning and accomplishment. Victor Frankl, a leading psychiatrist, would argue that there is more to well being. Frankl lived in a concentration camp, and describes his feeling of euphoria, happiness in liberation had fleeted fast when he realised his world had changed, his close family had died. Frankl experienced well being through his trancsendent experience, connectedness, engagement and value to others. Research shows that spirituality and connectedness were associated with greater well being and less physical suffering. Frankl suggest that we cannot pursue happiness as this will drive it away but we can pursue meaning and authenticity, this would be closer to well …show more content…
Each of these dimensions offer an opportunity to shape our attitude from our experience. The physical world, relating to the physical self and environment , The social world, suggests living in ‘good faith and not what others expect of them whilst connecting and caring for others, The psychological dimension entails our character traits and freedom and The spiritual level includes self-transcendent ideal as in Frankl case finding ultimate meanings. These dimensions offer depth and well being would the most suitable in evaluating outcomes of existential therapy as it relates closer to how a person practices existential principles in every day life.
Mount et al. (2007). Healing Connections: On Moving from Suffering to a Sense of Well-Being undertook a phenomenological study to explore the relevance of the existential and spiritual domains to suffering, healing, and quality of life (QOL). Drawing on a purposive sample of 21 participants, four types of ‘healing connections’ involving a sense of bonding to Self, others, the phenomenal world, and ultimate meaning, respectively, were identified. The result found that the participants were situated in a context that was greater and more enduring than the self, thus leading to enhanced meaning and Quality of