Comments on: Well-Being at the Population Level: Building a Flourishing World

By: Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D.

Flora Morris Brown, Ph.D. — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:58:14 +0000

Thank you for pointing out the importance of happiness not just at the individual level but at the population level. While a group can flourish when they have a shared purpose, the purpose is not always the positive one that many of us visualize unless the individuals in the group have found individual happiness first. I’m thinking of cults and dictatorships, for example, where individuals not only relinquish their personal control over their lives but become convinced not to develop individual desires, goals and feelings. Many of these members, when interviewed, believe the group happiness is all that is important. It’s as if they lose themselves.

By: WJ

WJ — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:28:57 +0000

Timothy, interesting goals on Seligman’s behalf – and a challenge when the world economy is based on consumption – and research suggests consumption is based on negative emotions. For an example see http://www.innate-intelligence.com.au/blog/?p=257

By: Warren Davies

Warren Davies — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:00:40 +0000

“To increase the percentage of the world population that is considered ‘flourishing’ from today’s 10-15% to 51% by the year 2051.”

Lofty goals, especially for a psychologist! Not to turn this into a political discussion, but it’s going to be tough for us to move into the mindset that money should be used to increase well-being. Movement to more ‘green’ societies seems very very slow to me, mainly (it seems) because of the economic implications of making dramatic shifts. And that’s an issue that could destroy us all, let alone leave fewer people than we’d prefer in a position to flourish. (Sorry to be dramatic).

But maybe I’m being too negative for a positive psychology site! Maybe people outside of politics and governments are the best people for the job, since they don’t have as many, umm, ‘obligations’, shall we say.

Anyway, looking forward to your follow up articles!

By: Timothy T.C. So

Timothy T.C. So — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:38:17 +0000

Thanks Mina – Very true. And it happened in Eastern cultures recently. With collectivism cultures we used to focus on interpersonal relationships and community relationship. However, with the economy rapidly developing while education focusing less on the values of community relationship, people tend to seek their own success and wealth instead of common good. Taking self-help publications as an example, across East and West, 99% of them offer individualized solutions for pursuing personal good but only a few of them talk about common betterment at community or population level. Best, Timothy

By: Timothy T.C. So

Timothy T.C. So — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:37:14 +0000

Kathryn – Thanks for your insightful question, as usual. Building or developing trust is actually a process through social interaction opportunities involving risk are transformed into trust relations in which the people involved come to trust each other and honor that trust. I personally would claim prior personal experience, how parents and education shape population shared concepts, the norm and cultures, all have a role in trust development. I would like to recommend to you a book, ‘Social Trust and Human Communities’ by John Rempel. Instead of my blunt sharing, the author discussed in one of the chapters how higher and lower trust society will offer a completed and research-based finding. Best, Timothy

By: Mina McBride

Mina McBride — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:34:49 +0000

Great article. I especially like your parting words. I think they have particular meaning here in the West where a lot of our focus seems to be on getting the best for ourselves. The interesting thing is, looking at those who are most successful, they seem to become that way by giving the most of themselves to others.

By: Kathryn Britton

Kathryn Britton — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:47:33 +0000

Timothy,
Thanks for writing about the Seligman challenge — and about zooming out to see things at population levels. It raises interesting questions — like why is the level of trust so high in Norway? Is something happening there that could be replicated elsewhere?

Kathryn