--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Happiness is a real, objective…" description: "\"Happiness is a real, objective phenomenon, scientifically verifiable. That means people and whole societies can now be measured over time and compared ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/polly-toynbee-21635_causes_happiness-is-a-real-objective-phenomenon_2446419.jpg" --- # Happiness is a real, objective phenomenon, scientifically… ![“Happiness is a real, objective phenomenon, scientifically verifiable. That means people and whole societies can now be measured over time and compared accurately with one another. Causes and cures for unhappiness can be quantified.” quote by Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/polly-toynbee-21635_causes_happiness-is-a-real-objective-phenomenon_2446419.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/polly-toynbee-21635_causes_happiness-is-a-real-objective-phenomenon_2446419.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/184/polly-toynbee-21635_causes_happiness-is-a-real-objective-phenomenon_2446419.jpg) > “Happiness is a real, objective phenomenon, scientifically verifiable. That means people and whole societies can now be measured over time and compared accurately with one another. Causes and cures for unhappiness can be quantified.” [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Happiness can be measured objectively, allowing societies to compare well‑being and identify causes of unhappiness. **In simple terms:** Happiness can be measured and compared across societies. Key Takeaway Use data to improve collective well‑being. Themes well‑being measurement science policy society Mood analytical optimistic Type academic policy‑oriented When to use this quote - government planning - mental health programs - research - media reporting Key Concepts economics psychology public health Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance data with personal experience? - What policies best improve happiness? A Different Perspective Quantifying happiness may miss subjective nuances. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Mean people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean-people/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Phenomenon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/phenomenon/) [Sadness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sadness/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Unhappiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unhappiness/) ## Related quotes > [Human freedom is not an illusion; it is an objective phenomenon, distinct from all other biological conditions and found in only one species -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-dennett/human-freedom-is-not-an-illusion-it-is-an-objective-phenomenon/) [Daniel Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-dennett/) > [“An objective phenomenon exists independently of human consciousness and human beliefs. Radioactivity, for example, is not a myth. Radioactive emissions occurred long before people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/an-objective-phenomenon-exists-independently-of-human-consciousness/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [“Happiness was a real, actual, achievable possibility. It came when you called. Or no, it never left you in the first place.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/happiness-was-a-real-actual-achievable-possibility-it-came-when-you/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) > [Happiness is the real sense of fulfillment that comes from hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-barbara/happiness-is-the-real-sense-of-fulfillment-that-comes-from-hard-work/) Joseph Barbara > [ “In the film Into the Wild, the protagonist Chris McCandless leaves us with words I think are worth living by: “Happiness \[is\] only real… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fumio-sasaki/in-the-film-into-the-wild-the-protagonist-chris-mccandless-leaves-us/) [Fumio Sasaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fumio-sasaki/) > [Happiness only real when shared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-mccandless/happiness-only-real-when-shared/) [Christopher McCandless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-mccandless/) > [“The happiness is real, and the love is not.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francoise-sagan/the-happiness-is-real-and-the-love-is-not/) [Françoise Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francoise-sagan/) > [Happiness is only real when u share it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happiness-is-only-real-when-u-share-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That is our generation's task, to make these works, these rights, these values of life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness real for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/that-is-our-generation-s-task-to-make-these-works-these-rights-these/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [“In Fillory you felt the appropriate emotions when things happened. Happiness was a real, actual, achievable possibility. It came when you called. Or no,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lev-grossman/in-fillory-you-felt-the-appropriate-emotions-when-things-happened/) [Lev Grossman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lev-grossman/) > [“There was the dream of happiness and then there was what was real.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-brundage/there-was-the-dream-of-happiness-and-then-there-was-what-was-real/) [Elizabeth Brundage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-brundage/) > [Base your happiness on being real, not on illusions and expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/base-your-happiness-on-being-real-not-on-illusions-and-expectations/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [HAPPINESS is ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happiness-is-only-real-when-shared/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Happiness, for me, has to be real - life that is made of real conversations, of spending quality time with close friends, walks in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhumika-chawla/happiness-for-me-has-to-be-real-life-that-is-made-of-real/) [Bhumika Chawla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhumika-chawla/) > [Happiness real only when shared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-mccandless/happiness-real-only-when-shared/) [Christopher McCandless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-mccandless/) ## More by Polly Toynbee > [Most people come to fear not death itself, but the many terrible ways of dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/most-people-come-to-fear-not-death-itself-but-the-many-terrible-ways/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Could a government dare to set out with happiness as its goal? Now that there are accepted scientific proofs, it would be easy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/could-a-government-dare-to-set-out-with-happiness-as-its-goal-now/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Openness about death has led to greater care about all aspects of dying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/openness-about-death-has-led-to-greater-care-about-all-aspects-of/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Working lives are for the state to influence. Unemployment makes people unhappy. So does instability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/working-lives-are-for-the-state-to-influence-unemployment-makes/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Islam, Christianity and Judaism all define themselves through disgust of women's bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/islam-christianity-and-judaism-all-define-themselves-through-disgust/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Inequality makes everyone unhappy, the poor most of all, and that is well within the remit of the state. More money gives less extra…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/inequality-makes-everyone-unhappy-the-poor-most-of-all-and-that-is/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [“The strain of engaging emotionally with all that misery was exhausting. The kindness and hard work of the care assistants here was worth far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/the-strain-of-engaging-emotionally-with-all-that-misery-was/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [Nothing keeps people together like the exalted conviction that they alone are to be spared that eternal anguish of hell fire to which everyone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/nothing-keeps-people-together-like-the-exalted-conviction-that-they/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [The best care on earth cannot prevent us all dying in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/the-best-care-on-earth-cannot-prevent-us-all-dying-in-the-end/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [One in six people suffer depression or a chronic anxiety disorder. These are not the worried well but those in severe mental pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/one-in-six-people-suffer-depression-or-a-chronic-anxiety-disorder/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [But instead of standing up for reason, our government is handing education over to the world of faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/but-instead-of-standing-up-for-reason-our-government-is-handing/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [The strongest predictor of unhappiness is anyone who has had a mental illness in the last 10 years. It is an even stronger predictor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/the-strongest-predictor-of-unhappiness-is-anyone-who-has-had-a-mental/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) > [People want the right to die at a time of their own choosing. 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Equality for women demands a change in the human psyche, more profound than anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-toynbee/feminism-is-the-most-revolutionary-idea-there-has-ever-been-equality/) [Polly Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) [Explore all 29 Polly Toynbee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-toynbee/) ## More Causes quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [I pray that wherever we are and whatever duties we have in the priesthood of God, we will be united in the cause to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/i-pray-that-wherever-we-are-and-whatever-duties-we-have-in-the/) [Henry B. 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Well, roll my breakfast cause I'm a hungry man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/big-joe-turner/get-out-from-that-kitchen-and-rattle-those-pots-and-pans-well-roll-my/) [Big Joe Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/big-joe-turner/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [Jobs and money are never the primary cause of stress. Thinking, negative thinking causes stress. 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The causes of youth violence are working parents who put their kids into daycare,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-delay/guns-have-little-or-nothing-to-do-with-juvenile-violence-the-causes/) [Tom DeLay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-delay/) > [I don't wear rubbers cause you can't catch it twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-norton/i-don-t-wear-rubbers-cause-you-can-t-catch-it-twice/) [Jim Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-norton/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Well the first time I performed, my mom was like how she is now when sees me on stage – all red, smiling from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-brown/well-the-first-time-i-performed-my-mom-was-like-how-she-is-now-when/) [Chris Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-brown/) > [I love a lot of things, a whole lot of things / Like / My cousin comes to visit and you know he's from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eloise-greenfield/i-love-a-lot-of-things-a-whole-lot-of-things-like-my-cousin-comes-to/) Eloise Greenfield > [Many companies have long contended that stress in the home causes productivity loss in the market place.. and it does. But research now reveals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/many-companies-have-long-contended-that-stress-in-the-home-causes/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [The miracle drugs (neuroleptics) cause the worst plague of brain damage in medical history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-breggin/the-miracle-drugs-neuroleptics-cause-the-worst-plague-of-brain-damage/) [Peter Breggin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-breggin/) Browse all 9,070 Causes quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Happiness is a real, objective phenomenon, scientifically verifiable. That means people and whole societies can now be measured over time and compared accurately with one another. 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