Economic and philosophical pathways to subjective well-being and a flourishing good life: an exploratory perspective

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dc.contributor.authorKaseeram, Irrshad
dc.contributor.authorMahadea, Darma
dc.date.accessioned2025-11-20T13:26:27Z
dc.date.available2025-11-20T13:26:27Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.departmentNameEconomics
dc.description.abstractThe search for happiness is a universal human goal. We all want to be happy and lead a flourishing life of endeavor with fruitful relationships, free from worries and afflictions. However, not all of us are happy, despite growth in personal income over time. Subjective well-being has traditionally been in the realm of philosophy, suggesting that happiness, as the only ultimate purpose of life, is underpinned by virtuosity and moral principles. In recent times, happiness has attracted the attention of economists and researchers in other disciplines too. Psychology indicates that certain personality attributes are critical for higher happiness levels. Economic reasoning suggests that rising incomes with economic growth and good health enhance quality of life and subjective well-being. This paper takes on an interdisciplinary exploratory approach to examining happiness. It examines the economic and non-economic influences on the human life satisfaction and assesses the role of government to enhance well-being and happiness. The paper introduces the philosophical influence of the mode of action, goodness as an alternative individual approach to a good life and lasting happiness, and complements this with a panel regression analysis, reflecting that rising income per head, freedom, healthy life expectancy conditions and income inequalities are significant economic factors influencing happiness in a society. For citizens’ higher happiness levels, policy-makers should therefore promote economic growth with which rising income per capita is associated, ensure good health care conditions and minimize income inequalities.
dc.facultyFaculty of Commerce, Administration and Law
dc.format.preprintNo
dc.identifier.citationMahadea, D. and Kaseeram, I., 2020. Economic and philosophical pathways to subjective well-being and a flourishing good life: an exploratory perspective. African Journal of Development Studies, 10(1), pp.63-86
dc.identifier.issn2075-6534 (online)
dc.identifier.issn1998-4936 (print)
dc.identifier.otherhttps://doi.org/10.31920/2075-6534/2020/10n1a4
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10530/58322
dc.issuenumber10 / 1
dc.pages63 - 86
dc.peerreviewedYes
dc.publisherAdonis & Abbey Publishers
dc.subjectHappiness
dc.subjectPsychology
dc.subjectGood health
dc.subjectQuality of life
dc.titleEconomic and philosophical pathways to subjective well-being and a flourishing good life: an exploratory perspective
dc.title.journalAfrican Journal of Development Studies
dc.typeJournal Article
dspace.entity.typePublication
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