INSTRUCTORÕS
NOTICE BOARD
FOR
ALL IMPORTANT MATTERS CHECK HERE
CONTACT Chandra
Khan FOR ANY QUESTIONS
Announcements and
Weekly Study Questions.
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October 23rd, 2019
Please consult the readings of last class as well as the
articles below and develop answers to the following questions;
We Discussed the various
measures like GDP,
GNP, HDI, GPI, the capability index
approach and finally Gross National Happiness (GNH).
1. Do you think it is time to
ditch the economy of the 1% and replace it with a human economy the GNH, Give
concrete examples?.
2. After considering the 4 pillars and the nine domains of GNH
as developed by Bhutan Do you think GNH offers a comprehensive approach to
human wellbeing? Is there any thing significant, (pillar or domain) that it leaves out,
or is not necessary to include, in the GNH according to your understanding of
happiness and wellbeing ? Support your response with specific
examples.
2. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/05/4-lessons-from-bhutan-on-the-pursuit-of-happiness-above-gdp/
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October 16th, 2019
Please read the two articles below and come
prepared to discuss the questions below, bring your short written responses to class.
https://theconversation.com/how-do-we-measure-well-being-70967
http://www.gnhcentrebhutan.org/what-is-gnh/the-4-pillars-of-gnh/
1. What is the ÒCapabilityÓ approach as stipulated by Amartya Sen? According
to him well-being should be understood in terms of
peopleÕs real ÒopportunitiesÓ– that is, all possible combinations of
functioningÕs from which they can choose.
2. According to Sen What are some of the problems associated with composite indexes like HDI?
3. What is GNH? What are its four pillars and the nine domains of GNH, Do you think it is a better measure than GDP, GNP and HDI?
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October 9th, 2019
Please read Justin FoxÕs article on the ÒEconomics of Well
BeingÓ
https://hbr.org/2012/01/the-economics-of-well-being
and discuss the
following:
1.
What are GDP, GNP and HDI? What does each index measure and how is
each measure different from each other?
2.
Please watch, and bring your
thoughts on Social Progress Index, can this be a substitute for GDP?GNP?
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October 2nd, 2019
Happiness assignment for class Debate October 2nd.
What is Happiness and how can
we explain happiness? What are the different concepts that help us understand
happiness and well being or life satisfaction? How have conceptions of
happiness differed over time?
Based on your class readings and discussions so far, each
student will
try to understand and think deeply and
experientially about what is happiness?
Each student will conduct 2 activities.
1. The
purpose of the first
activity is to understand, ÒHedonic
HappinessÓ as a positive emotion in your brain that is triggered if
something good happens. Happiness as an emotional reaction to external stimuli which is
fleeting and momentary, and after a while you go back to your usual state.
Discuss this in the context of, ÒSet Point Theory.Ó
2.
The second activity will focus on understanding, ÒEudemoniaÓ as defined by Aristotle.
This type of happiness understood as a deep inner contentment and
fulfillment in your heart center and is sustainable. Jeremy Bentham
describes this as;
"Create all the happiness you are able to
create: remove all the misery you are able to remove. Every day will allow you
to add something to the pleasure of others, or to diminish something of their
pains. And for every grain of enjoyment you sow in the bosom of another, you
shall find a harvest in your own bosom; while every sorrow which you pluck out
from the thoughts and feelings of a fellow creature shall be replaced by
beautiful peace and joy in the sanctuary of your soul."
Jeremy
Bentham.
Some suggestions for planning the 2
activities;
1.
For
the first activity, plan and participate in some fun activity that you expect will make you feel happy.
2.
For
the second activity, plan an activity or something that will improve someone
elseÕs well being. It could be an anonymous or secret good dead. Use your
unique artistic practice, talents and strengths to do something special for someone
else known or unknown to you.
3.
After
you are done write and reflect on you experience of the two activities, some
things to reflect on;
i. How was the first
experience different than the second?
ii. Did both bring you
happiness?
iii. Do you think that the
2nd activity gave you more than just happiness?
iv. Could it be translated
as: fulfillment, living a good (moral) life, human flourishing,
moral or spiritual success?
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September
25th.
Please Read , : Bruno S. Frey , Happiness A Revolution in
Economics, 3-14, and address the questions below.
1.
How
have conceptions of happiness differed over time?
2.
Is Happiness a Cause, or an Effect?
3.
What
are the four factors from the large literature on the determinants of happiness
in economics?
4.
Does income
growth produce higher average subjective well-being?
Explain this with reference to the Easterlin Paradox.