Risk

The study of risk is the study of decision and indecision. The range of possible qualitative and quantitative consequences of change. 'Decision Theory', an area focused on by Daniel Kahneman, looks at the psychology, economics, statistics, philosophy, sociology and history of choice. I believe happiness is closely related to choice. A feeling of empowerment and acceptance of the random beauty of the world. I don't think the world is malicious. It is the experimental trial and error that creates this beauty. Our appreciation and consciousness creates meaning. A static world would protect the way things are, but remove the ability to dream.

See:

'Thinking Fast and Slow' by Daniel Kahneman

'Fooled by Randomness' by Nassim Taleb

'Black Swan' by Nassim Taleb

'Risk' by John Adams
'The Signal and the Noise' Nate Silver