Happiness (An essay in interpersonal ethics.)
We all want to be happy. Happiness in life is a state of well-being, contentment, and joy, experienced differently by each individual, How do we get there? Is it money, fame, good looks that get you happiness? Well not always. In fact, other factors seem more important. You can find much on the internet, and this brief essay summarizes some key findings.
As you might suspect, many people have done research on happiness. Professor Sonia Lyubomirsky suggests the 50-40-10 happiness model. This implies that happiness is influenced by three main factors: 50% of happiness is attributed to our genetic inheritance, 10% to life circumstances, and 40% to intentional activities. While these are estimates, it points out the importance of our genes. While genes and our life circumstances may be beyond our control, our choices and actions can play a major role in shaping whether we are happy or not.
An extended study by investigators at Harvard suggests that close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy. Those ties protect people from life’s inevitable problems, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes. That finding proved true across the board among both the Harvard men and the inner-city participants. (https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life/ ) Consider the opposite. Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, has said “Loneliness kills. It’s as powerful as smoking or alcoholism.”
Similar results have been found recently. Dana Smith wrote in the New York Times (August 7, 2025) that superagers, people who do well over the age of 80, regard social relationships as important for their success.
Let’s expand on relationships.
1. Cultivate strong relationships with family, friends, and community. Engage in acts of kindness and contribute to the well-being of others. Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who uplift and inspire you. Value the quality of your relationships more than the number of people you know.
2. In general, overall good health is important. Get regular exercise and sufficient sleep, eat nutritious food, manage your stress levels, and enjoy yourself. Don’t forget your regular medical checkups.
3. Show gratitude for the good things and people in your life.
4. Engage in activities and hobbies that bring you joy and a sense of fulfillment. Set and work toward realistic goals that align with your values and aspirations. Be aware of your accomplishments. Find and stay with positive emotions.
If you want to pursue this further, there are many useful books and articles on the topic.