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