History Extra podcast Happiness: history of an emotion
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Jan 24, 2025 Katie Barclay, a historian and editor of The Routledge History of Happiness, dives into the fascinating evolution of happiness. She reveals that while 'happiness' gained popularity in the 17th century, its roots trace back much further. Barclay explores how cultural and societal values shape our understanding of joy, examining forgotten emotions like apatheia and how definitions have shifted over time. The conversation also highlights the historical journey from happiness as fortune to a fundamental human right, intertwining personal fulfillment with societal progress.
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Happiness Research Focus
- Happiness studies often focus on markers of comfort like health, wealth, and education.
- These markers indicate a lack of unhappiness rather than the presence of joy or elation.
Sources for Emotion History
- Historical emotions research uses various sources like letters, diaries, art, and literature.
- These sources reveal how people experienced and expressed emotions in different time periods.
Lost Emotions
- Apathia, a medieval emotion similar to boredom but also a haunting demon, is no longer relevant.
- This illustrates how emotions and their associated language can change over time.
