>
>
> I'm pretty sure there's also good evidence that people who are
> severely disabled in an accident return to their pre-accident
> happiness level in a relatively short period of time. I would guess
> it's a function of brain chemistry.
You are absolutely correct. There are such studies. I have come across a few discussions of this in a sci-mag I read -- articles on the so called "science of happiness." Also referenced were some of the studies that Doug is probably referencing -- for instance studies of lottery winners over time showing that for three years or so they "feel" happier, but after three years their increased prosperity does not make them happy. Comparative studies of the working poor and the upper middle class were also referenced.
The studies of paralyzed accident victims I saw referenced attempted to measure "optimism" and the sense of a better future. In general, those who were generally optimistic before being paralyzed after a few years became generally optimistic again. But the authors of the studies pointed out the limits of their studies. All the people they studied had social networks to support them and were able to maintain a similar life-style before and after the paralysis. The authors of the paper I read pointed out that this was not true of the people who became significantly poorer after their paralysis. Such people tended to not to remain optimistic no matter what. In other words, in this case at least, money can't buy happiness but deprivation of money can buy despair.
> The question is whether happiness has any political relevance. If one
> thinks of happiness in a very generic sense that can be quantified
> outside of social context (e.g. by the level of certain chemicals in
> the brain) I think the answer is very clearly no. If one thinks of
> happiness more qualitatively -- along the lines of 'living a good
> life,' or 'the ability to experience a diversity of higher pleasures'
> -- the answer is maybe. Although that raises the highly problematic
> question of who gets to define the good life.
Here, here! Applause!
>
>
> -WD
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>
-- Jerry Monaco's Philosophy, Politics, Culture Weblog is Shandean Postscripts to Politics, Philosophy, and Culture http://monacojerry.livejournal.com/
His fiction, poetry, weblog is Hopeful Monsters: Fiction, Poetry, Memories http://www.livejournal.com/users/jerrymonaco/
Notes, Quotes, Images - From some of my reading and browsing http://www.livejournal.com/community/jerry_quotes/