Abstract

The Strictly Sequential Hybrid Theory (SSHT) proposed in this thesis addresses the limitations of traditional hybrid theories of well-being, which integrate subjective experiences with objective goods but struggle with "unwarranted attitudes"—attitudes not tied to objective goods yet influential on well-being. Previous enhancements like those by Wall and Sobel gave unwarranted attitudes undue significance, leading to counterintuitive effects. SSHT recalibrates this by assigning a secondary but crucial role to unwarranted attitudes, ensuring alignment with intuitive notions of well-being. It emphasizes a structured integration where objective values and warranted subjective experiences primarily determine well-being, while unwarranted attitudes are considered to resolve ties in closely matched scenarios. This approach allows SSHT to offer a more coherent and balanced framework for understanding well-being, surpassing previous models in both comprehensiveness and philosophical depth. SSHT’s nuanced method marks a significant advancement in the philosophy of well-being, contributing a refined perspective on the complex interplay between subjective and objective elements that constitute a good life.