Epistemology

Epistemology is the whole of all paradigmata a science is based on. Please find here an overview of the epistemology on which the experimental research of happiness is based.

Axiomatically experimental research of happiness  is based on two postulates which are in psychology treated as "trivial", which makes it obvious that they are accepted without contradiction, by which they are to be treated as axioms, which do not need (and are not able) to be proven by evidence:

1. Axiom: Challenge which fits the abilities of an individual is pleasant.

2. What ist pleasant implies the with of continuation.

The second axiom immediately leads us to a definition of the object of the experimental research of happiness: A state of mind which implies the wish to reamin in this state of mind also in future.

Happiness is primarily felt when a living creature is subject to a challenge which optimally fits its abilities. (Herbert Laszlo: Versuch über Gefühle, die den Wunsch implizieren, man möge sich auch in Zukunft so fühlen, BoD, Hamburg 2000).

http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/3902441224/qid=1146410422/sr=8-2/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i2_xgl/028-5214347-6974158

Neurophysiologically the concept of experimental research of happiness is based on the microworld of the brain researchers

a) Wolf Singer, chief officer of the Max Planck Institut für Hirnforschung.

http://www.mpih-frankfurt.mpg.de/global/Np/Staff/singer_d.htm

Singer takes as evident, that …

… the construction of the human brain and  of the whole neuronal nework of the human body is formed to grant the survival of the individual in the best possible way. 

… there is no room in the brain for a so called „free will“, what means, that happiness is to a high degree dependendt on external influence. 

b) A. Damasio,

 http://www.uihealthcare.com/depts/med/neurology/neurologymds/damasioa.html

Damasio observed, that emotions originate a certain time before they are felt consciently. This happens in the guts of the individual and can be recognised by body language and bioelectrical signals, before the individual feels it. This gives the hope to recognise these emotions timely and to react e.g. by biofeedback.

Cybernetically the concept of experimental research of happiness is based on the observation, that the feedback in emotional stimulance, which is considered a source of happiness, cybernetic ally is in a situation which Norbert Wiener, creator of the term “Cybernetics”, called “overregulation”.

 http://www.diemo.de/projects/nwiener/

Instead of aiming for an optimum, this feedback makes the individuals oscillate between stress and tedium without giving them the possibility to stay autonomously in the state which Hans Selye, the creator of the term “stress”, called “eustress” (unfortunately without further research into this part of the subject, which would have been very important for happiness.)

http://arbeitsblaetter.stangl-taller.at/EMOTION/Stresstheorien.shtml

Bioelectrically the concept of experimental research of happiness is based on the paradigm that states of the human mind can be researched and monitored from outside by measurable signals. This was verified by an experiment which was suggested by IFEG and conducted at Technikum Wien, a technical college in Vienna offering a curriculum on bio electronics. Ernst Nemetz gained the title of “Dipl.-Ing.(FH)” conducting this experiment in the course of his thesis.

Medicine of sports teaches, that impulses of training, which are optimal in strength and duration, do not only cause wellbeing but also train and strengthen the respective physical and mental ability. Herbert Laszlo, Maître d’Armes and trainer for fencing, has transferred this paradigm from sports to other realms of the human life and wellbeing.

www.laszlo.at

Labour medicine teaches, that a proper amount of work is positive for safety and wellbeing of workers. This was e.g. the result of an experiment conducted under the name “BauFit”  by Institut Johanneum in Graz and sponsored by the insurance company AUVA.

www.joanneum.at/de/noflash/humantechnologie/projekte_detail.php?p_iid=IND&p_pid=115

Macoreconomically the concept of optimal challenge meets the expectations of the 6th Kondratieff-Cycle. The Happiness created by optimal challenge could – as earlyer the railways, automobiles and electronic data processing – bring the next technological impact to world economy.

http://www.4managers.de/10-Inhalte/entwuerfe/kondratieff-zyklus.asp

It is common wisdom – and commonly criticised – that rising wealth did not lead to more happiness. The wellness wave could not alter this situation. The 6^th Kondratieff Cycle will – like similar cycles before – be triggered by a surprising development, which was first ridiculed and rejected.

This could be, according to the present state of art, experimental research of happiness.

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