Happiness is a concept that virtually all strive for and many have tried to determine how to fulfill. In The Happiness Hypothesis, the author, Jonathan Haidt, suggests a formula to explain what happiness consists of. He proposes this formula: H=S+C+V. In this formula, H stands for happiness, S for set point, C for conditions, and V for voluntary activities. Haidt argues that these three factors that contribute to an individual’s happiness and by maximizing these three different aspects, one can maximize his or her happiness. In this essay, I will expand on the meaning of Haidt’s equation, then will apply the components of the equation to my own life in order to find what constitutes and determines my happiness now and how to maximize future
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He claims, “The level of happiness that you actually experience (H) is determined by your biological set point (S) plus the conditions of your life (C) plus the voluntary activities (V) you do” (Haidt 91). The first part, set point, is thought to be the individual’s natural level of happiness. This set point is genetically instilled in an individual and deals with how they naturally perceive situations. Some people are natural optimists while others may look at things with a more negative outlook. This is not necessarily because some people actively dismiss the opportunity to be positive, but rather because they are naturally programmed to be less optimistic. This factor accounts for the possibility that genes, not just external factors, have an influence on the happiness of an individual. The next component is the conditions of life which accounts for the worldly circumstances which may make life harder or easier, and thus affect happiness. Some of these conditions, for example, would be wealth, relationship status, race, age, occupation, and sex, among others. These conditions definitely contribute to overall contentment, but are by no means defining factors of happiness. That is why they are just one of three components in the happiness formula. The last aspect of the formula is voluntary activities which help to increase happiness. These are activities that one actively chooses to participate in, such as yoga, meditation, exercise, relaxation, or vacationing. According to Haidt, these three factors determine the state of happiness of an
He claims, “The level of happiness that you actually experience (H) is determined by your biological set point (S) plus the conditions of your life (C) plus the voluntary activities (V) you do” (Haidt 91). The first part, set point, is thought to be the individual’s natural level of happiness. This set point is genetically instilled in an individual and deals with how they naturally perceive situations. Some people are natural optimists while others may look at things with a more negative outlook. This is not necessarily because some people actively dismiss the opportunity to be positive, but rather because they are naturally programmed to be less optimistic. This factor accounts for the possibility that genes, not just external factors, have an influence on the happiness of an individual. The next component is the conditions of life which accounts for the worldly circumstances which may make life harder or easier, and thus affect happiness. Some of these conditions, for example, would be wealth, relationship status, race, age, occupation, and sex, among others. These conditions definitely contribute to overall contentment, but are by no means defining factors of happiness. That is why they are just one of three components in the happiness formula. The last aspect of the formula is voluntary activities which help to increase happiness. These are activities that one actively chooses to participate in, such as yoga, meditation, exercise, relaxation, or vacationing. According to Haidt, these three factors determine the state of happiness of an