Positive sociology of «happiness»: quantitative and qualitative approaches

Serbinina I. B.

The article deals with the actual problem of the formation of a positive qualitative sociology in relation to the study of the category «happiness». In modern sociological studies, the attention by the authors is mainly drawn to social problems and pathologies, but not to constructive social patterns, with the help of which the category of «happiness» in its social perception is achievable. The research goal is to identify the main direction of research into the category of «happiness» in the framework of quantitative and qualitative approaches. The objectives of the study are as follows: to consider the general contribution of sociology to the development of the «happiness» concept; identify the possibilities of positive sociology in the study of this concept; formulate evidence-based conclusions. The research methodology is based on system analysis and includes a group of general scientific methods (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction), as well as a number of special methods: content analysis of scientific literature on the research topic; method of comparative analysis, critical analysis. Based on the results of the study, the author came to the following conclusions: for modern sociology, a conceptual turn from the study of social pathology to the study of positive parameters of social life, including the concept of «social happiness», is important, which will allow achieving more significant results in qualitative sociology.

Keywords:neoclassical positivism, sociology, positive sociology, social goods, social happiness.