The pursuit of Happiness: Evolutionary Origins, Psychological Research, and Implications for Implicit Religion
Issued Date: 3 Apr 2007
Abstract
Scientific studies of happiness (as subjective well-being) provide a lot of
information about it: thus, a person’s level of happiness usually stays within a
certain genetically determined range despite life’s ups and downs, happiness
relates to activity in specific parts of the brain and to the presence or absence ofserotonin and dopamine, and we have evolved to pursue happiness. Raising
happiness within the set range can involve high self-esteem, a sense of control
over life, and an outgoing, optimistic personality. In addition, the person’s view
of the world influences his or her level of happiness. Flow, personal relationships,and having values and goals can also contribute.
Pursuing happiness and seeking to remove unhappiness appear to be
primary human motivations, biologically based. The study of implicit religion,
therefore, ought at least to look at happiness and ask about the relationship
between it and implicit religion.
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