The Determinants of Happiness: Does Social Science Corroborate Baha'i Teachings?

Happiness is generally considered an important if not the ultimate goal of life. Religion, by giving a prescription for living, purports to give the key to happiness. It prescribes a pattern for living to promote the happiness of individuals and collectively of humankind. There are numerous references in religious writings in general, and in Baha'i writings in particular, to factors/behaviours/social arrangements that lead to happiness. But is there empirical support for the claimed happiness-enhancing effects of these factors and behaviours? The paper asks how much support there is, in the social science literature, for the religious prescription for living.