Happiness Matters
Happiness is one of the most popular subjects of discussion in
contemporary society. The average bookshop has a number of books
on how to attain or maintain happiness in life. The mass media, Internet,
television and radio are also abuzz with discussions on happiness. Even
governments have taken up interest in the topic of happiness, with the kingdom
of Bhutan leading other nations in measuring national progress in terms of
‘Gross National Happiness’ in place of the economics concept, ‘Gross Domestic
Product’.[1] Across
board, there is revived interest in understanding the nature of happiness, and
how it, happiness, can be attained or maintained. This ever-growing interest in
the subject of happiness clearly indicates that happiness really matters to all
people. Likewise, in this thesis I take interest in this important subject,
happiness. To this subject I add a far less talked about topic, shame, which I
argue is the major threat to the happy life.
Background of Study
This treatise is written as part of my studies for a Bachelor of Arts
degree at Tokyo Christian University. Because of this setting, my thesis
assumes primarily a Christian readership. The general themes of my thesis,
however, transcend religious affiliation and even academic orientation.
Happiness is a topic that matters to all people irrespective of religious
affiliation or field of study. Although I will write from a Christian
theological standpoint, I will, in this thesis, explore the topics of happiness
and shame with academic rigor and faithfulness so that, I expect, anyone who
reads this work will find it stimulating and enlightening. A range of academic
fields including psychology, philosophy, Christian Theology, Sociology and
Anthropology, informs my discussion.
The initial purpose of this thesis was to address the relationship
between qualities like genuineness, sincerity and vulnerability on one hand and
human happiness and well-being on the other. Following a class discussion on
serving people effectively in Christian communities, the general consensus
seemed to be that Christian ministers are not always genuine when dealing with
the difficulties that people face in life. And yet, these same qualities, being
genuine and realistic, appeared to be effective for helping people through
difficult situations to happier, contented lives. Assuming that people who are
more genuine and realistic in dealing with difficult situations are happier, I
began to ask why these qualities were not embraced or celebrated not only by
Christian ministers but also by the people they lead. A number of possible
leads emerged, but only two would remain. On one hand, the word happiness in my
assumption led to a more thorough investigation into the nature, and attainment
of happiness, a search that plunged me into the field of positive psychology.
On the other hand, I chanced upon the argument that shame impedes qualities
like genuineness and wholehearted living.[2] This
argument ignited in me a passion to understand shame and how it hinders the
very qualities I assumed were necessary for a happy, thriving life. This thesis
resulted, and in it, I seek to synthesize a theory about happiness called
‘flourishing’ with a number of theories on shame.
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