Communiction Theories Ch. 25 - Essay Example

Deconstructing Happiness Deconstructing Happiness According to the Centre for Bhutan Studies (CBS), the deconstruction of happiness is significant in providing further guidelines towards the societal aim of Gross National Happiness (GNH). From the deconstruction of happiness, the factors to be revealed are those, which are important for the happiness of an individual in Bhutan. In addition, the changes that have occurred in the broader GNH concept will be tracked in the deconstruction of happiness.

These changes are those that fall under the nine domains. These nine domains include the educational attainment, income distribution, time use, health condition, community vitality, psychological well being, good governance, ecological resilience, and cultural diversity (Snyder, 1992).In one of the international GNH meeting, some of the preliminary results regarding the factors, which are important for an individual’s happiness and the tracking of the changes in GNH, were revealed. Consequently, such factors as modern household equipment, household income, high positive emotions, amount of land owned, low negative emotions, good physical and mental health, regular socialization, meditation, education qualification, and trust were highlighted to be important factors leading to the happiness in the Bhutanese life.

From the revelation of these factors, the institutions that can support and look into such other finer factors like trustworthiness, positive emotions, socialization, meditation, and personal health should be put in place. This will ensure that the resources are directed to where they are needed. Happiness deconstruction also calls for people to understand it as the most significant end of society in any government (Snyder, 1992).Considering the issue of consumer behavior in economics, the findings based on preferences and rational choices were considered sufficient metric showing people’s desires.

However, the findings have been found to have limitations, since it is not true that whatever someone pays reveals the choice and preference. The person may have had financial constraints, and therefore, had no otherwise but to pay. In this case, such things as lack of information concerning alternatives, ideology, and addiction are blamed for shaping the choices in adverse way, hence-preventing proper choice making. Because of this deconstruction, our understanding on the effect of ideology in shaping our choices is likely to broaden (Snyder, 1992).

Reference:Snyder, T.R. (1992). Deconstructing happiness in solo performance of Ursula K. Le Guins "The ones who walk away from Omelas.” New York, NY: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.