Nature & Nurture

Are people either naturally happy or unhappy or is happiness is a habit that can be cultivated?

In search of the specific brain function that determines happiness, the nature camp says the ability to feel good is predetermined by genetic makeup.

The nurture camp proposes that by engaging in meaningful work, play, relationships and activities, as well as by training your mind, you can learn to see that the grass is just as green on your side and that if it isn't, you are perfectly able to get out the spikes, the fertiliser, the seed and the mower and put in the effort to make it greener.

As we don't know for sure which side is right, it is as well to tend the grass just in case.