Happiness

[Guest guest]

Money can't buy happiness: That's not a message you'd expect from an

economist. But Layard of the London School of Economics dishes it

out in his new book, " Happiness " (which can be bought, for $25.95). Though

incomes have doubled over the last half-century, he writes, happiness --

" just feeling good, " as he defines it -- remains elusive. Why? Layard shared

some of his thoughts in a phone interview.

What's an economist doing writing about happiness? Economics was really

invented as a way of examining how economic institutions such as markets,

taxes and foreign trade would affect the happiness of people. What I'm

trying to do is to take on board all the psychology of what we can do to

achieve happiness. Yes, I think if we gave more priority to happiness rather

than income, the gross domestic product would be less . . . but it's not a

tragedy if the economy is a bit smaller.

What's keeping us from being happy?

Success in life has become getting highest up the tree. That is what we are

trying to escape from . . . an individual culture where the chief moral

obligation is for people to make the most for themselves. Instead, it should

be creating happiness around you. I'm interested in public policy that

enables people to live as happy lives as possible. We need a much clearer

concept of the common good. All kinds of policies would follow from that.

Such as?

Family life is always rated tops in affecting happiness. We ought to be

making family life easier. Child support should be available to those who

need it. Parenting should be openly discussed and taught in school, so

people realize it's a real job. And mental health -- that's the great

unspoken source of misery in our society. About a third of us will have a

major mental illness at some time in our lives, and most involve more than

just the person who is ill. . . . But only 10 percent will see a

psychiatrist.

What can I do on a personal level to become happy?

One can learn how to separate oneself from negative emotions that seem to

grip them while focusing on what one can do and appreciate what one has . .

.. I don't meditate, but I am planning to start.

-- Matt McMillen