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Happiness

Lessons from a New Science

Lessons from a New Science

By Richard Layard

By Richard Layard

By Richard Layard

By Richard Layard

Best Seller
Paperback $17.00

Jun 27, 2006 | ISBN 9780143037019

Ebook $13.99

Jun 27, 2006 | ISBN 9781101117712

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    Happiness by Richard Layard
    Paperback $17.00
    Jun 27, 2006 | ISBN 9780143037019

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      Jun 27, 2006 | ISBN 9780143037019

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      Jun 27, 2006 | ISBN 9781101117712

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    About Happiness

    There is a paradox at the heart of our lives. We all want more money, but as societies become richer, they do not become happier. This is not speculation: It’s the story told by countless pieces of scientific research. We now have sophisticated ways of measuring how happy people are, and all the evidence shows that on average people have grown no happier in the last fifty years, even as average incomes have more than doubled.

    The central question the great economist Richard Layard asks in Happiness is this: If we really wanted to be happier, what would we do differently? First we’d have to see clearly what conditions generate happiness and then bend all our efforts toward producing them. That is what this book is about-the causes of happiness and the means we have to effect it.

    Until recently there was too little evidence to give a good answer to this essential question, but, Layard shows us, thanks to the integrated insights of psychology, sociology, applied economics, and other fields, we can now reach some firm conclusions, conclusions that will surprise you. Happiness is an illuminating road map, grounded in hard research, to a better, happier life for us all.

    About Happiness

    There is a paradox at the heart of our lives. We all want more money, but as societies become richer, they do not become happier. This is not speculation: It’s the story told by countless pieces of scientific research. We now have sophisticated ways of measuring how happy people are, and all the evidence shows that on average people have grown no happier in the last fifty years, even as average incomes have more than doubled.

    The central question the great economist Richard Layard asks in Happiness is this: If we really wanted to be happier, what would we do differently? First we’d have to see clearly what conditions generate happiness and then bend all our efforts toward producing them. That is what this book is about-the causes of happiness and the means we have to effect it.

    Until recently there was too little evidence to give a good answer to this essential question, but, Layard shows us, thanks to the integrated insights of psychology, sociology, applied economics, and other fields, we can now reach some firm conclusions, conclusions that will surprise you. Happiness is an illuminating road map, grounded in hard research, to a better, happier life for us all.

    Read An Excerpt

    Read An Excerpt

    About Richard Layard

    Richard Layard is one of Britain’s best-known economists and a leading world expert on unemployment and inequality. He runs Europe’s leading economics research center within the London School of Economics. He worked for the British government as an economic adviser… More about Richard Layard

    About Richard Layard

    Richard Layard is one of Britain’s best-known economists and a leading world expert on unemployment and inequality. He runs Europe’s leading economics research center within the London School of Economics. He worked for the British government as an economic adviser… More about Richard Layard

    Product Details

    Category: Psychology | Personal Growth

    Paperback | $17.00
    Published by Penguin Books
    Jun 27, 2006 | 320 Pages | 5-1/16 x 7-3/4 | ISBN 9780143037019

    Category: Psychology | Personal Growth

    Ebook | $13.99
    Published by Penguin Books
    Jun 27, 2006 | 320 Pages | ISBN 9781101117712

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    Table Of Contents

    HappinessPreface

    Part One: The Problem

    1. What’s the problem?
    2. What is happiness?
    3. Are we getting happier?
    4. If you’re so rich, why aren’t you happy?
    5. So what does make us happy?
    6. What’s going wrong?
    7. Can we pursue a common good?

    Part Two: What Can Be Done?

    8. The Greatest Happiness: Is that the goal?
    9. Does economics have a clue?
    10. How can we tame the rat race?
    11. Can we afford to be secure?
    12. Can mind control mood?
    13. Do drugs help?
    14. Conclusions for today’s world

    My thanks
    Sources of tables, charts and diagrams
    List of annexes
    Notes
    References
    Index

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