From Genes to Cosmos: Broadening Contexts in the Study of Happiness
From Genes to Cosmos: Broadening Contexts in the Study of Happiness

Summary/Abstract: In this article, the authors address the content of the presentations and subsequent debate of the international online meeting “From Genes to Cosmos: Broadening Contexts in the Study of Happiness.” Four guest speakers talked about the main implications their respective research backgrounds have for well-being and happiness as a field of study. The ideas defended by the speakers can be grouped into these points: a) the basic outline of a framework for thinking about scholarship on this topic in general; b) a plea in favor of a shift in paradigm, from a well-being society for some to a society based on well-being for all; c) a critique of the Western-centric orientation of research on these topics; d) arguments for the need of mutual enrichment between Humanities and Social Sciences in the study of well-being and happiness, and e) some ideas from neuroscience and psychology about how well-being and happiness are related to education, and about the role that mindfulness can play in this area. In their conclusions, the authors express their concerns about the future research agenda in the field of well-being and happiness and offer some questions and proposals about the broadening of the field.

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