Description
Book SynopsisExamining the fundamental thinking underpinning the foundation for economic studies of happiness, this book explores the theories of key economists and philosophers from the Greek philosophers to more modern schools of thought. Lall Ramrattan and Michael Szenberg explore the general measures of happiness, utility as a method, metrical measures of happiness, happiness in literature and the scope of happiness in this concise book.
Fundamentals of Happiness builds on major moral and philosophical theories from the ancient, medieval and modern schools that form the foundation of utility analysis. The authors classify the economics of happiness based on psychological, individual, social and institutional views of happiness, revealing how historical schools of thought implicitly or explicitly deal with this. The book also focuses on the relationship between happiness and society and welfare, analysing the measurement of subjective well-being.
This will be an invigorating read for economics students, in particular those studying the history of economic thought, looking to understand the basic principles underlying the economics of happiness.
Trade Review'There is no doubt that today we need to better understand what happiness means to individuals and society. In Fundamentals of Happiness: An Economic Perspective
, Ramrattan and Szenberg have not only produced a comprehensive analysis of economic thought about happiness, they have also taken up the challenging task of examining philosophical and psychological views of this very complex subject. The result is a tour de force that is destined to be a reference for many years to come.' -- Alan Zimmerman, City University of New York, - College of Staten Island, US
'In their eye-opening book, Ramrattan and Szenberg provide a thorough investigation of the economics of happiness. The authors explore old and new theories of welfare economics and the generalization of individual happiness to welfare happiness, shining a positive light on the possibility that individual happiness can, in fact, project itself to general happiness across markets. This book is an impactful contribution to the literature. By stimulating our intellectual curiosity, the reader thinks in new ways about happiness and welfare as it relates to society. To better understand the complexities of happiness, you must read this book!' -- Cathyann D. Tully, Wagner College, US
‘Happiness and the pursuit of it have been the focus of humankind since ancient times. In their thought-provoking Fundamentals of Happiness
Lall Ramrattan and Michael Szenberg present the contrasting and converging views on happiness of different schools of thought starting with Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Your own perspective on happiness may change after reading this fascinating book.’ -- Iuliana Ismailescu, Pace University, US
