NPR

Is Happiness A Universal Human Right?

In celebrating the International Day of Happiness on March 20, we might do well to examine rather than reaffirm our tacit assumptions about happiness and its pursuit, says psychologist Tania Lombrozo,
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March 20 is the International Day of Happiness, the result of a UN resolution adopted in 2012 that identifies the pursuit of happiness as "a fundamental human goal" and promotes a more holistic approach to public policy and economic growth — one that recognizes happiness and wellbeing as important pieces of sustainable and equitable development.

The official page for the International Day of Happiness, HappinessDay.org, goes one step further in declaring happiness a "universal human right."

But is happiness really a human right? And is happiness a goal we should actively pursue?

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