Happiness

Happiness, pleasure or joy is the emotional state of being happy. The definition of happiness is one of the greatest philosophical quandaries. Proposed definitions include freedom from want and distress, consciousness of the good order of things, assurance of one's place in the universe or society, inner peace, and so forth. More generally, though, it can be defined as the state which humans and other animals are behaviorally driven towards, to counter external forces which would otherwise lead to unhappiness (and presumably eventual death).

External links

• The World Database of Happiness ? a register of scientific research on the subjective appreciation of life
• Journal of Happiness Studies
• The Sunday Times Magazine ? article on the scientific study of happiness