Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 3.11
Layard (
2011
) and
the “Big Seven” of happiness
safety (security, job, health); the third relates to love/belonging needs; the fourth
relates to self-esteem, confidence and respect needs; while the fifth and top need
is classified as self-actualization where the individual can achieve his or her higher
order needs and life satisfaction. The first two needs are basic to survival and only
when they are met, may the remaining three needs be realized. By applying this
theory, the result of the previous graphs may be explained. Increasing income may
well contribute to meeting the first two needs, which is why at the lower levels of
income there may be a relationship between increased income and life satisfaction.
The higher level needs however cannot be achieved just by income which is why
satisfaction level may not increase with increasing income.
Economists use measures of peoples' financial situation as the index of human
happiness because it is easy to count and thought to be proportional to happiness.
However, Layard (
2011
) in his topic “Happiness” suggests that there are seven com-
ponents of happiness (he calls these the “big seven” as shown in Fig.
3.11
). These
components are family relationship, community and friends, work, health, personal
freedom, personal values, and financial situation. Moreover, the financial situation
is not always in proportion to the other six components. Nowadays, the top priority
is unfairly given to the financial situation and as a result many people are chasing
after wealth as if the remainder of the life factors were dependent on that single
index. We saw a reflection of this in the extraordinary disaster which struck the
eastern area of Japan in 2011. Through this disaster, we could learn the importance
of family relationships and community and friends. People of Tohoku area didn't
complain about their bad luck, but they were deeply thankful for the help extended
from others. We, Japanese, were moved strongly by such strong and calm people
and learned about the importance of these non-economic aspects of happiness.
Meadows (
1999
) also built on the hierarchy to propose a theory for the ultimate
purpose of development. Figure
3.12
indicates the hierarchy of development and
its purpose and means. Towards the higher levels it becomes qualitative and un-
physical, while at the lower levels, the parameters are quantitative and physical.
Well-being is the ultimate purpose located on the top of the hierarchy, of which the
first component is happiness. Human capital and social capital are the intermedi-
ate purposes occupying the second step, and composed of health, wealth, goods,
etc. Artificial capital comprised of labor, tools, factories and materials makes the
intermediate means on the third step. All of these purposes and means are supported
