Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/57573 
Year of Publication: 
2012
Series/Report no.: 
Papers on Economics and Evolution No. 1201
Publisher: 
Max Planck Institute of Economics, Jena
Abstract: 
While research on subjective well-being abounds, comparatively little thought has been given to its practical policy implications. Two approaches to derive policy advice have emerged in the literature: One is organized in terms of the idea to maximize a hedonic social welfare function, the other focuses on the design of constitutional rules to facilitate the individuals' self-determined pursuit of happiness. We suggest to substantiate what it means to pursue happiness, in particular by drawing upon a psychologically informed account of preference learning. If extended in this direction, a notion of the pursuit of happiness has interesting practical policy implications.
Subjects: 
subjective well-being
happiness
welfare economics
preference learning
JEL: 
D03
D11
D60
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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