Society Archives

Describing Happiness: 5 Reasons Why It’s So Difficult

Have you ever tried to describe happiness to someone? Why is it so difficult to discuss happiness in an objective way? Daniel Gilbert, Harvard professor and the author of Stumbling on Happiness, theorizes that happiness is difficult to describe and discuss for five specific reasons. Gilbert further theorizes that most of the time people don’t even realize when they’re happy or unhappy, which complicates the issue further. Here’s why it’s difficult to objectively discuss and describe happiness.

A Look at the Future of VR (Outside of Gaming)

How can virtual reality be useful outside of gaming? Is VR the future? Will the virtual world sever interpersonal relationships? What kind of effect will VR have on mental health? When most people think of virtual reality, they think of an expensive gaming headset with mediocre graphics and limited games. However, VR is for a lot more than just video games. VR technology is becoming more prominent in healthcare, education, and even in the workplace. Learn why VR may just be the future of technology.

Stephen Covey: Paradigm Shifts Create Leaders

The Millionaire Next Door Formula for Net Worth

What is Stephen Covey’s theory on paradigm shifts? How are they instrumental in how we perceive the world and ourselves? A paradigm shift is a concept coined by the American physicist and philosopher Thomas Kuhn, and it describes a fundamental change in our beliefs about the world. In his book The 8th Habit, Stephen Covey applies the concept to human development and leadership. Keep reading to learn about Stephen Covey’s paradigm shift theory.

The Benefits of a Free-Market Economy

What are the benefits of a free-market economy? What are the main arguments given in favor of the free market? In his book What Money Can’t Buy, philosopher Michael Sandel argues that free-market societies are immoral and create corruption. He starts his book by explaining the three arguments that defenders of the free market often make: the efficiency argument, the utilitarian argument, and the libertarian argument. We’ll go over each of the three arguments below.

The Social Impact of the Market Society

What are the main issues with market societies? How can a market society affect the happiness of its citizens? A market society is one in which market values deeply intertwine with the daily lives of the people who live in it. The intrusion of markets into every aspect of life comes with a handful of issues, including a strong social impact. Let’s explore the social impact of living in a market society.

Mythology Paintings: Self-Serving Snobbery?

What is mythological art? Why did mythology use to be accessible only to the rich? Access to mythology used to be a prerogative of the wealthy elites. According to art critic John Berger, works of art that depicted elements of mythology were the elites’ way of affirming their high status because they were educated enough to know the stories being told. Keep reading to learn Berger’s view of mythology paintings in the European tradition.

The Rise of the Free-Market Economic System

What is the origin of the free market economy? Why do we place so much faith in markets? In his book What Money Can’t Buy, Michael Sandel traces the origins of the free-market economic system back to the 1980s. According to Sandel, we put so much faith in markets because we believe it’s the optimal way to distribute limited resources. Keep reading to learn about the rise of the free market.

What Is Genre Painting? John Berger’s Perspective

What is genre painting? How does it depict the social classes? According to art critic John Berger, genre painting in the European oil painting tradition served a purpose beyond simple aestheticism. He believes that it sent certain messages about socio-economic status—messages that elevated one class and belittled another. Read more to learn about genre painting.

The Disadvantages of a Free-Market Economy

What are the major disadvantages of a free-market economy? In what way is the price system unjust? In his book What Money Can’t Buy, philosopher Michael J. Sandel argues that market values have become society’s dominant moral framework, the lens through which we determine what is important or unimportant as well as right and wrong. He argues that the free market is unjust and restrictive because they create injustices and eliminate choice. Keep reading to learn about the disadvantages of the free-market economy, according to Sandel.

Why Having Too Many Options Makes You Unhappy

Do you feel stressed out when you have too many options to choose from? Why does limited freedom actually make you happier? People tend to think that the more choices they have, the happier they’ll be. However, an abundance of choices will actually make you unhappy because you’ll always doubt the decision you’ve made. Here’s why having too many options creates a paradox.