Can I get a little less life satisfaction, please?

Journal article

In the social sciences and policymaking, life satisfaction surveys are increasingly taken as the best measure of wellbeing. However, the life satisfaction theory of wellbeing (LST) barely features in philosophers’ discussions of wellbeing. This prompts two questions. First, is LST distinct from the three standard accounts of wellbeing (hedonism, desire theories, the objective list)? I argue LST is a type of desire theory. Second, is LST a plausible theory of wellbeing? I raise two serious, underappreciated objections and argue it is not. Life satisfaction surveys are useful, but we should not conclude they are the ideal measure of wellbeing.

Authors: Plant, M

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Journal: Economics & Philosophy
• Pages: 1-22
• Publication date: 2025-10-23
• Acceptance date: 2025-04-16
• DOI: 10.1017/s026626712510045x
• EISSN: 1474-0028
• ISSN: 0266-2671
• Language: English
• Keywords: wellbeing; wellbeing measurement; life satisfaction; welfare economics; happiness