happiness

There is a paradox at the heart of our lives. Most people want more income and strive for it. Yet as Western societies have got richer, their people have become no happier. (Layard 2005: 3)

Once people rise above the poverty level happiness lies in the quality of friendships and of family life. Increased income and the possession of more and more material goods have little impact on feelings of well-being.

We gain happiness through our relationships with other people - ‘it is their affection or dislike, their good or bad opinion of us, their acceptance or rejection that most influences our moods (Lane 2000: 6).

the task for education