Faithful Well-being: Lessons from the Happiness Hypothesis

Summary This article explores current research on happiness as a basis for critical conversation with Faithful Cities, and particularly its economic section. The happiness hypothesis overlaps with other related concepts like well-being, and has attracted contributions from a variety of disciplines including economics, sociology and psychology. It invites theological, and especially ethical, collaboration. After initial contextual locating of the research question, the article proceeds to define some of the main findings of the research on happiness. These illustrate the paradoxical character of contemporary prosperity and the search for greater economic growth. That character includes connections with marginalization and inequality. Using these definitions as a basis for critical conversation with Faithful Cities, I make five points relating to the tension between economic and social capital, inequality, the changing relationship between nature and nurture, the importance of religion and ethics for happiness studies, and the growing significance of multi- and inter-disciplinary work.