Evaluation of happiness economics in terms of pleasure, meaning and spirituality; Van province sample

Economics, in general, focuses on the question of how to increase the welfare of individuals. This is achieved in terms of the utility maximization of consumers and the profit maximization of producers within neo-classical economic approach. It is assumed that producers and consumers act rationally in trying to achieve their objectives. In this respect, it can be briefly stated that the free market system promises higher happiness through higher pleasure from consumption. However, it is thought that pleasure is not the only source of happiness. Meaning and spirituality also play a major role in achieving higher life satisfaction. The Easterlin Paradox and the upper layers of the Maslow needs hierarchy provide a number of important clues to this. In this respect, this study presents an empirical analysis to explore the three dimensions (pleasure, meaning, and spirituality) of happiness. We conducted a survey among 420 people over the age of 18 in the Van province. The questionnaire include demograhpic and economic information as well as several questions for each dimension of happiness and subjective wellbeing