Abstract

This paper provides a spiritual perspective on happiness referred to as the G-donic approach to happiness which is fundamentally different from the hedonic and eudemonic approaches. The G-donic approach identifies the importance of the spiritual self and argues that it embodies the technology that converts physical resources into happiness. We argue that with G-donic preferences, it is possible to achieve a higher level of happiness with moderate consumption. The G-donic approach encourages living a virtuous life by fulfilling the biological, social, emotional, intellectual, moral, and spiritual needs in a balanced manner. It urges spiritual people to go beyond phenomenal reality to perceive transcendental reality in pursuit of authentic happiness. We use a multi-dimensional human nature model to highlight the relevance and importance of this approach, and modify standard utility models to show how it might result in higher happiness with lower consumption and compare and contrast it with outcomes under hedonic and eudemonic approaches to happiness. The G-donic approach contends that resources and spirituality are substitutes, as well as complements and that a reasonable approach to happiness should seek an optimal mix of both. Unlike popular convention, this deviation from hedonic pleasure due to lower consumption does not result in lower happiness. In fact, we show that, theoretically, it results in an overall increase in happiness as any loss in hedonic is compensated by greater eudemonic and G-donic rewards which increases utility.

Highlights

  • We argue that Islam identifies the spiritual self as the main source and target of happiness which is transcendental in nature

  • We argue that a great majority of the world population has religious affiliations, and it is important to understand happiness from a spiritual perspective

  • They see this life as a test where their commitment to divine guidance in all aspects of life is tested. They derive happiness by living a life that pleases God. We refer to this approach as the G-donic approach to happiness, which has fundamental differences with the hedonic and eudemonic approaches

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Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Around two-thirds of the world’s population subscribes to Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam, and Judaism) [6] It is, interesting to see that the happiness literature does not have a well-defined religious perspective on happiness. Whereas our characterization provides another element, that underlies subjective well-being, which can be used as a tool to treat individual patients, what is more interesting about the G-donic model is an inherent feature that continually primes its believers to remember their purpose in life and be conscious of the transcendental reality of their lives They are constantly reminded that this life is a test and that they will be rewarded for being patient and following ideals of the religion and will be answerable for their acts. We present several hypotheses to empirically test predictions of the G-donic happiness model

Lower Subjective Well-Being with Higher Consumption
Defining G-Donic Happiness
G-Donic Happiness and Human Nature
Comparisons of Hedonic and G-Donic Happiness Models
Determinants of Subjective Wellbeing in Three Happiness Models
Findings
10. Conclusions
Full Text
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