Progrès dans la compréhension du bonheur

textabstractResume Un des buts des politiques sociales est de creer un plus grand bonheur pour le plus grand nombre de personnes. La realisation de cet objectif ambitieux necessite la comprehension du bonheur. Les cinq questions suivantes appellent des reponses -. 1) Precisement, qu’est-ce que le bonheur ? 2) Le bonheur peut-il etre mesure ? 3) Jusqu'a quel point les gens sont-ils heureux ? 4) Qu'est-ce qui nous amene a etre heureux ou malheureux ? 5) Le bonheur peut-il etre atteint de facon permanente ? Au fil des siecles, les philosophes se sont confrontes a ces questions. Depuis les annees 60, elles font l’objet de recherches empiriques. Cet article tente de repondre a ces questions en se basant sur les progres realises. Summary One of the goals of social policy is to create greater happiness for a greater number. Realization of this ambition requires understanding of happiness. The following questions must be answered: 1) What is happiness precisely? 2) Can happiness be measured? 3) How happy are people presently? 4) What causes us to be happy or unhappy? 5) Can happiness be raised lastingly? Through the ages philosophers have toiled with these questions. Since the 1960's they are subject of empirical research. This paper takes stock of the progress in answering these questions.

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