QUALITY OF LIFE, HAPPINESS, AND HUMAN PROGRESS

66 Danish Scientific Journal No100, 2025 QUALITY OF LIFE, HAPPINESS, AND HUMAN PROGRESS Qamile Caca Doctorant, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Philosophy, University of Tirana https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17249792 Abstract This paper explores the multifaceted concept of happiness within the context of modern society, distinguishing between hedonic happiness, characterized by fleeting pleasures, and eudaimonic happiness, which refers to a deeper sense of well-being and purposeful living as conceptualized by Aristotle. It emphasizes the intrinsic value of attention and time as foundational resources in achieving a good life. The study highlights the psychological challenges that the human brain presents in the pursuit of continuous pleasure and examines happiness through economic, social, psychological, and health-related dimensions. Drawing upon empirical evidence, including findings from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the paper argues that meaningful interpersonal relationships and the quality of social connections are critical predictors of well-being and longevity. It further discusses the paradoxical role of money as both a necessary means for fulfilling basic needs and desires and a source of inequality and dissatisfaction, thereby complicating the pursuit of happiness in contemporary cultures. The analysis also considers the biological basis of happiness, acknowledging the role of neurochemistry and its implications for potential future manipulation, while cautioning against the ethical and social risks involved. Furthermore, the paper posits that true progress must encompass not only material advancement but also psychological growth, social cohesion, and moral development, all of which contribute to sustainable human flourishing. Ultimately, happiness is portrayed not as a fixed destination or mere accumulation of pleasures but as a dynamic process involving present-moment awareness, adaptation, and the cultivation of meaningful purpose. This process-oriented understanding of happiness aligns with a broader definition of progress, where technological innovation and social development foster improved quality of life without losing sight of the essential human need for connection, meaning, and well-being. Keywords: Happiness, Well-being, Sustainable progress, Social cohesion Quality of Life, Happiness, and Human Progress Although in the 21st century hunger, wars, and epidemic diseases are diminishing, humanity is experiencing peace and abundance, life expectancy and wellbeing are on the rise—are these factors sufficient to make humans truly happy? Often, success in life is measured by status, income, or achievements, yet these do not necessarily bring lasting happiness. The attainment or fulfillment of desires does not always make us feel content for a long time, as we remain in search of meaning. What do we do? How are we? Epicurus defined happiness as the highest good. He emphasized an ethical code regarding the things one should and should not do to guide people toward happiness 18 . Happiness is often seen as relative, but what concerns us more is the intersection of happiness and human progress. Yuval Noah Harari identifies two pillars supporting happiness: one at the psychological level and the other at the biological level. Psychologically, happiness depends on expectations rather than objective conditions, meaning that a peaceful and prosperous life alone does not guarantee satisfaction unless reality meets our expectations. However, improvements in conditions often raise our expectations, and our achievements may continue to leave us equally dissatisfied. This is closely 18 Harari, Y. N. (2016). Homo Deus: A brief history of tomorrow. Harvill Secker, fq 47 19 Harari, Y. N. (2016). Homo Deus: A brief history of tomorrow. Harvill Secker, fq 49 related to progress—the way societies develop toward an existential potential in their lives and their contribution to society. At the biological level, our expectations and happiness are determined by our biochemistry, not by our economic, social, or political situation. According to Epicurus, we are happy when we experience pleasurable sensations and are free from unpleasant ones 19 . In the early 21st century, this has become a scientific doctrine. According to life sciences, happiness and suffering are simply shifts in the balance of bodily sensations. We never react directly to external events, but only to sensations within our bodies. People feel happiness when they experience pleasant sensations in their minds and bodies 20 . However, we must also focus on what we recognize as objective realities. The relationship between living and happiness is intertwined, channeled through the growth of human progress. If science is correct and our happiness is determined by our biochemical system, then the only way to ensure lasting pleasure is to manipulate this system. Simply put, to increase the level of happiness on Earth, we must manipulate human biochemistry 21 . However, this poses a vital threat to the social and economic order, which is why we have established a system grounded in certain amoral criteria within society. This system affects not only the realm of thought but also behavior, manifesting in economic crimes and 20 Harari, Y. N. (2016). Homo Deus: A brief history of tomorrow. Harvill Secker, fq 50 21 Harari, Y. N. (2016). Homo Deus: A brief history of tomorrow. Harvill Secker, fq 53 Danish Scientific Journal No100, 2025 67 biochemical crimes. As the pursuit of biochemical happiness accelerates, it will reshape politics, society, and the economy, making it increasingly difficult to control. Regardless of the method, achieving happiness through biochemical manipulation will not be easy; it requires a fundamental transformation of human models 22 . In the quest for health, happiness, and power, humans will gradually alter every one of their traits until they cease to be human 23 . This phenomenon generates unrest in the very process of living and thinking in the human aspect, because only through the disruption of equilibrium do we encounter a cerebral shutdown and brain atrophy, which bring severe negative consequences for societal development and progress. We constantly compare our inner selves with the external lives of others 24 . This makes us focus solely on the deficiencies in our own lives, believing that the good life belongs to “them” — out there — and that perhaps we will never grasp it because when we reach it, “they” move further ahead, living an even better life than ours. Thus, the good life always remains beyond our reach. From this perspective, it is easy to believe that the good life does not truly exist or that it is only attainable by others. After all, our lives rarely match the image we have created in our minds of what a good life should be. The good life is joyous and challenging, filled with love but also with pain. It unfolds over time as a process 25 . Only through this process do we come to understand the importance of living based on progress, achievements, and the desire to succeed in social and moral dimensions. For no one can life be composed solely of pleasant moments or only painful ones. Every individual's life is complex, filled with turmoil, pleasures, obstacles, growth, and setbacks — a universal and absolute truth. The value of each of these elements, moments, or sensations experienced by a person is unique and exists only through recognition and interconnectedness with one another. To grasp this, a simple reflection on sensations experienced in our lives is sufficient. For example, everyone has experienced at least once in their life both success and failure. The value of each stems from the confrontation with the feelings they evoke. People strive for success for two reasons: first, they desire the emotion felt upon achieving success; second, they want to avoid the disappointment and unpleasant sensation of failure. This logic applies to all parts that complete the puzzle of our lives. This puzzle is completed through a process — the process is our life itself. How 22 Harari, Y. N. (2016). Homo Deus: A brief history of tomorrow. Harvill Secker, fq 55 23 Harari, Y. N. (2016). Homo Deus: A brief history of tomorrow. Harvill Secker, fq 63 24 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg 12 25 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg13 26 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg 71 we develop this process depends partly on us, partly on the circumstances we face, the opportunities available, and the people around us (and for the superstitious, perhaps fate). How we feel in life is determined only partly by external events and largely by what happens within us. This is not a flaw in human nature but a biological fact. Our emotional well-being cannot be infinitely improved, but the potential to continually enhance it is available at every stage of life 26 . When we say we want to have a good life, we are not simply referring to an abstract concept. We want to materialize it, to make it as understandable and tangible as possible. For this concept to become concrete, we certainly need some components perceptible by the senses, such as physical health, longevity, and well-being — which themselves encompass imprecise concepts like happiness, satisfaction, and inner peace, all linked to human progress itself. A person’s happiness is influenced by an immense range of factors. The delicate balance of economic, social, psychological, and health factors is complex and constantly evolving 27 . In modern society, it is often said that money is the foundation of a good life. At the same time, it is also asserted that money cannot buy happiness. People frequently tell each other that money is not the solution; nevertheless, money remains a central object of desire in nearly every culture worldwide 28 . This creates a dissonance between what we want and what we reflect. Although money is deeply embedded in the foundations of modern societies, it is closely linked to achievements, social status, self-esteem, feelings of freedom and self-determination, the ability to care for one’s family, and entertainment. It is natural that we view money as the primary means through which we interact with the world and pursue many of life’s goals 29 . However, money transforms from a tool for fulfilling needs and pleasures into a source of inequality when we compare ourselves to others. The greater the inequality between us, the stronger our dissatisfaction and unhappiness become. Material wealth is often seen as economic progress, but in reality, it constitutes a regression for contemporary society. The Harvard Study of Adult Development, which began in 1938, revealed that good relationships are a decisive factor in sustaining physical health, mental well-being, and longevity. Healthy relationships keep us healthier and happier 30 . From another perspective, human progress is closely linked to relationships with others. Having 27 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg 34 28 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg 59 29 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg 61 30 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg 23 68 Danish Scientific Journal No100, 2025 someone close with whom we can share our deepest vulnerabilities can be the difference between despair and well-being. In other words, those who are able to cope with life’s challenges, daily stresses, and inevitable pain benefit from well-being and satisfaction through these relationships. Loneliness is not solely about physical separation from others. The quality of relationships matters most; living among warm relationships protects both mind and body 31 . For human beings, the need for others is as vital as meeting basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Humans cooperate with one another because, by nature, they are social creatures who require love, connection, protection, security, and a sense of belonging. Interaction with others improves mental health and increases happiness, even if this is not always overtly apparent. Therefore, good relationships are essential for human well-being. One key conclusion from the Harvard Study was that the frequency and quality of our social contacts are the two primary predictors of happiness. Relationships form the foundation of our lives, inseparable from everything we do and everything we are. They are ends in themselves 32 . Relationships are the means that help us improve our lives and build things that will outlast us 33 . Through creating relationships, we create a healthy society. Being aware that, as mortal beings, our time is limited, our relationships become even more crucial for avoiding chaos and loneliness, ensuring survival, and enriching the overall color of our lives. Happiness, Not a Destination but a Process. Happiness is neither a destination nor a tangible possession. Aristotle used the term eudaimonia to refer to a deep state of well-being, in which a person feels that their life has meaning and purpose. In contrast, hedonia relates to fleeting happiness derived from various pleasures. Simply put, hedonic happiness is what we mean when we say we’re having a good time, whereas eudaimonic happiness is what we mean when we say life is going well 34 . But how do we achieve this good life? What must we do? There are several reasons why people find it difficult to be fully conscious of pleasure and happiness as they experience them. First, although living well may be a major concern for many individuals, it is not the primary concern in most modern societies. Today’s life is a dense cloud of social, political, and cultural priorities, many of which have little to do with improving people’s lives. Second, our brains often deceive us in our pursuit of continuous pleasure. While we may be capable of remarkable inventions, we often do not know what is truly good and important for us. Time and 31 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg 38 32 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg 73 33 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg 103 attention cannot be replaced—they are our life 35 . When we give our time and attention, we are giving life itself. Attention is the most fundamental form of love. By giving attention, we give life, and at the same time, we feel more alive. Time and attention are the essential materials of happiness. The logical flow of thought leads us to an analogy of progress, which naturally evolves from behavior to the expression of situations through words and actions. This progression prompts the natural question: can happiness be measured? Has progress made people happier? Happiness is closely tied to well-being and its components, such as life, health, freedom, and wealth 36 . Assessments of well-being tend to correlate with all that we consider indicators of happiness. The ideal measurement of happiness would consist of an integral or sum evaluated throughout one’s life, relating to the degree and duration of happiness experienced. Abundant happiness ensures a better life, but the absence of worry and sadness does not achieve the same. This brings us to the final dimension of a good life: meaning and purpose. This quality, together with happiness, forms part of Aristotle’s ideal of eudaimonia or “the good spirit.” Happiness alone is not everything 37 . People who live well or happily do not necessarily have all their needs and desires fulfilled at all times. They live in the present while planning for the future; they are healthy, calm, secure, have sufficient income, good relationships, and feel well most of the time. The function of happiness is to stimulate the instinct for adaptation: if we are dissatisfied, we strive to transform dissatisfaction into satisfaction; if happy, we savor the moment. The goal of progress cannot be the infinite increase of happiness in hopes that more and more people become increasingly euphoric. There are few dissatisfactions that cannot be reduced, and no limit to how meaningful our lives can become 38 . This happens when reason prevails over action. Since progress is the pinnacle of a pyramid that grows as its components increase, happiness makes people more empathetic, responsible, and conscious. Information technology also preserves the quantity and quality of personal relationships. The Millennial generation seems to be doing fairly well - happier and mentally healthier than their overprotective parents 39 . This contributes to progress, because the deepening of situations through action leads to development in thought. 34 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). The Good Life: Lessons from the world’s longest scientific study of happiness, pg 33 35 Waldinger, R., & Schulz, M. (2023). 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