A phenomenological perspective on subjective well-being: from myth to science.

This paper summarizes the concept of subjective well-being, from ancient philosophical reflection to the first psychological, empirical research on the construct of positive psychology. The author examined the different conceptual definitions of subjective well-being throughout history as well as the dominant themes in the philosophical theories, concluded with some contemporary philosophical trends in Western culture of the 20th and 21st century. This framework also touches upon the dynamics of the relationship between philosophical and psychological thoughts on subjective well-being.