I recently read a review of three books on the cutting edge of Happiness research,* Derek Bok’s The Politics of Happiness, Carol Graham’s Happiness Around the World, and Daniel Gilbert’s Stumbling on Happiness. Each of these texts is the product of serious scientific research, and has far ranging implications for our personal lives, and for public policy. Happiness research as a scientific pursuit began in earnest in the 1970s. A foundational study, reported in 1978 in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that persons who had suffered from debilitating accidents (most of whom were wheel-chair bound) were slightly happier than lottery winners. These latest studies confirm what the earlier studies suggested – what we often think will make us happier will not.We Americans were happier during the Great Depression than we are now. Our happiness level has been stagnant since the 1950’s as our real incomes have doubled, and our homes have tripled in size. Nigerians are as happy as the Japanese who are 25 times richer. Afghanistanis are happier and more cheerful than Americans. This is the raw data. The reasons are debated. Maybe people adjust to their economic level – the “happy peasant” effect – and thus the rich, having more stuff to care for and maintain, would naturally be less happy. Maybe some of us are genetically predisposed to be satisfied, and some of us are not. Those hard-wired to be dissatisfied will naturally seek what is more and better, and thus have more, without ever getting the satisfaction of it. Perhaps we are just completely unaware of what is truly valuable. Whatever the reason, having more, and being better don’t make a person appreciably happier whether that person lives in Peshawar, Paris, Pittsburgh, or Pomona.
What does satisfy? The cutting edge of happiness research indicates that work - productive occupation for its own sake, is important. Also, freedom from chronic fear and chronic pain, relationships that last, and committing to a choice or cause seem to be the essential elements of happiness.
There is a text written a bit before any of the three mentioned above, written even before that famous 1978 study, that seems to have ploughed the field of happiness research thoroughly. I am glad the three books mentioned above were researched and written as they give scientific affirmation to what we have received as divine truth. But I believe Ecclesiastes, has clearly established itself as the definitive text on the subject of Happiness
- Or at least on the subject of Satisfaction.
It is a book of research which seeks to answer a particular question: “What will a man find worthwhile in all he does under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1.3). Notice the limited scope of the question – it precludes our adding meaning to any act by factoring in eternity. We must limit our research to that which will occur “under the sun.” In fact, eternity doesn’t factor into this text until the very last verse. Inside the text it is only mentioned as that which is in our consciousness, but beyond our grasp (Ecclesiastes 3.11). Also notice that the researcher begins with the assumption that he will find nothing to list s satisfying, because all is nothingness (1.2). In the end, as eternity breaks through, everything here is still nothing (Ecclesiastes12.8), but he has found things that do satisfy, that are worthwhile while we are here.
I guess we should not be surprised at his dissatisfaction, because he is a wealthy and powerful man (Ecclesiastes 1.12-18). But, this wealth and power, along with his superior education and wisdom allow him to test everything, to try it all, to experiment thoroughly. He finds that wealth, pleasure, and success are ultimately unsatisfying (Ecclesiastes 2.1-11). He finds that work for its own sake is satisfying (Ecclesiastes 2.24, 3.12-13, 9.7-10). He finds that relationships that last are satisfying (Ecclesiastes 4.9-12, 9.7-9). He finds that making a choice and committing to it is satisfying (Ecclesiastes7.1-8, 9.9-10). He finds that sharing with others is satisfying (Ecclesiastes 11.1-8). He finds that it is better to be without chronic fear and without chronic pain (Ecclesiastes 11.9, 12.7). Beyond all this, he finds a simple sentence that sums up all of his findings:
The conclusion, when all has been heard is this: Fear God and keep His commandments. This is applies to everyone. (Ecclesiastes 12.13)
There is one more sentence to the text. In chapter 1, verse 3 he has taken eternity out of our equation. Now he reminds us it must be factored in:
For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it be good or evil. (Ecclesiastes 12.14)
Apart from any consideration of eternity, there are things which are necessary for our satisfaction. Taking eternity into consideration, they become the things necessary for our survival.
* From “Everybody Have Fun”, by Elizabeth Kolbert in the New Yorker, March 22, 2010, pp 72-74.