HistoryExtra podcast Happiness: history of an emotion
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Jan 24, 2025 Katie Barclay, a historian and editor of The Routledge History of Happiness, dives into the fascinating evolution of happiness. She reveals that while 'happiness' gained popularity in the 17th century, its roots trace back much further. Barclay explores how cultural and societal values shape our understanding of joy, examining forgotten emotions like apatheia and how definitions have shifted over time. The conversation also highlights the historical journey from happiness as fortune to a fundamental human right, intertwining personal fulfillment with societal progress.
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Cultural Specificity of Happiness
- The concept of happiness is culturally specific, varying across time and societies.
- Historians face the challenge of interpreting past happiness through a modern lens.
Origins of Happiness
- The word "happiness" is relatively new, derived from "hap," meaning fortune or luck.
- It gained modern meaning during the early modern period, linked to consumption and pleasure.
The Happiness Revolution
- The Happiness Revolution shifted the view of happiness from luck to something achievable.
- It emphasized pursuing material goods, comfort, and pleasure without guilt.
