Introduction

Abstract

To begin our study of the determinants of well-being and happiness, it is useful to take a look at the history of ideas and how being happy as a goal in life has evolved. We start with the ancient Greeks, a good beginning point for readers steeped in the traditions of Europe. Fatalism pervaded the world of philosophy in the early days of the Greek empire. This was reflected in drama and in the writings of early historians such as Herodotus. As Greek civilization evolved and their wars with Sparta and the Persians came to an end, a fresh breath of freedom, greater wealth, security and tolerance emerged, along with the belief that individuals could, indeed, seek to be happy as individuals. These new attitudes found a voice in the writing of Socrates, who said that the search for happiness is a natural longing (see http://classics.mit.edu/Herodotus/history.html). Furthermore, “Socrates and Plato created a longing of tremendous power. Their happiness is the sum of all desires, the final resting place of Eros, the highest good” (McMahon 2004, p. 90). These ideas reached their zenith in the work of Aristotle.