Evolutionary Perspectives on Enhancing Quality of Life (Elements in Applied Evolutionary Science)

Larsen, Mads; Witoszek, Nina

ISBN 10: 1009378538 / ISBN 13: 9781009378536

Published by Cambridge University Press, 2024

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 397603737

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Evolutionary Perspectives on Enhancing Quality of Life (Elements in Applied Evolutionary Science)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1009378538
• ISBN 13: 9781009378536
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Positive psychology is a thriving field with increasing political influence, yet there are few evolutionary studies that have had a tangible impact on rethinking mechanisms of well-being. This Element reviews existing literature and proposes synthesizing insights into human flourishing under an umbrella of multilevel selection (MLS). Conceptualizing quality of life as 'Happiness + Meaning = Well-being' draws attention to how people navigate between individual and group needs, and how they reconcile selfish pursuits with altruism and cooperation. We define happiness as the cluster of affects that reward individuals for solving adaptive challenges. We approach meaning as a reward that individuals experience when contributing to their community. By way of examples, we critically examine the Nordic well-being societies whose ethos and education advance prosocial values and practices and strike a balance between individualist and communitarian ideals. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.