On a similar note, how does HLI relate to Seligman’s well-being concept and PERMA measurement? In Flourish, he argues: “Well-being theory denies that the topic of positive psychology is a real thing; rather the topic is a construct—well-being—which in turn has several measurable elements [PERMA], each a real thing, each contributing to well-being, but none defining well-being (...) By contrast, life satisfaction operationalizes [=”defines exhaustively”] happiness in authentic happiness theory [measured by life satisfaction]”
I am aware that life-satisfaction is currently a more realistic thing to incorporate as a measurement into intervention and that PERMA is covered in the Positive Education paper. Thank you very much in advance!
And thank you for the transparency regarding HLI’s work both when it comes to research and organisational strategy. I found them highly useful for my own work and aspirations.
Finally, a slightly random question: Which part of Layard’s book did HLI contribute to? I just finished it a month ago. :)
I’m not really sure what Seligman means in the above quote, sorry. Perhaps it would make sense in a wider context.
Re PERMA, I’m not a fan of the concept and it strikes me as unmotivated. It’s something like a subjective list theory of well-being, where Seligman takes well-being to consist in a bunch of different items, each of them subjective in some way. However, I don’t see the justification for why he’s chosen those 5 items (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishments) rather than any others. It seems to be the most plausible re-interpretation of PERMA is that those 5 items are major contributions to happiness, and well-being consists only in happiness.
I’m glad you like our transparency! We hope it helps us improve our decision-making and better allows others to see how we think.
Re Layard’s book, Richard asked me to read a draft and I gave him extensive comments, primarily on the philosophical aspects, which were mostly in the earlier chapters. I also attended a conference he put on to discuss the book.
On a similar note, how does HLI relate to Seligman’s well-being concept and PERMA measurement? In Flourish, he argues: “Well-being theory denies that the topic of positive psychology is a real thing; rather the topic is a construct—well-being—which in turn has several measurable elements [PERMA], each a real thing, each contributing to well-being, but none defining well-being (...) By contrast, life satisfaction operationalizes [=”defines exhaustively”] happiness in authentic happiness theory [measured by life satisfaction]”
I am aware that life-satisfaction is currently a more realistic thing to incorporate as a measurement into intervention and that PERMA is covered in the Positive Education paper.
Thank you very much in advance!
And thank you for the transparency regarding HLI’s work both when it comes to research and organisational strategy. I found them highly useful for my own work and aspirations.
Finally, a slightly random question: Which part of Layard’s book did HLI contribute to? I just finished it a month ago. :)
Hello!
I’m not really sure what Seligman means in the above quote, sorry. Perhaps it would make sense in a wider context.
Re PERMA, I’m not a fan of the concept and it strikes me as unmotivated. It’s something like a subjective list theory of well-being, where Seligman takes well-being to consist in a bunch of different items, each of them subjective in some way. However, I don’t see the justification for why he’s chosen those 5 items (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishments) rather than any others. It seems to be the most plausible re-interpretation of PERMA is that those 5 items are major contributions to happiness, and well-being consists only in happiness.
I’m glad you like our transparency! We hope it helps us improve our decision-making and better allows others to see how we think.
Re Layard’s book, Richard asked me to read a draft and I gave him extensive comments, primarily on the philosophical aspects, which were mostly in the earlier chapters. I also attended a conference he put on to discuss the book.