The Happiness Hypothesis, Jonathan Haidt
The Happiness Hypothesis, Jonathan Haidt
51 Rating(s)
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The Happiness Hypothesis
Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

Author: Jonathan Haidt

Narrator: Ryan Vincent Anderson

Unabridged: 10 hr 18 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Basic Books

Published: 06/12/2018

Includes: Bonus Material Bonus Material Included

Synopsis

The author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Anxious Generation shows how a deeper understanding of the world’s philosophical wisdom can enrich and transform our lives.

“Wonderfully smart and readable.” —Washington Post

In The Happiness Hypothesis, social psychologist Jonathan Haidt skillfully combines philosophical wisdom and scientific research to explore ten “Great Ideas” that have been discovered by several of the world’s civilizations. In each chapter, Haidt questions a Great Idea in light of what we now know, and extracts from it the lessons that still apply to our modern lives, thereby illuminating the causes of human flourishing.

Now with a new preface, The Happiness Hypothesis expertly unravels the world’s philosophical wisdom and its enduring maxims—such as “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” and “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”—and tackles the eternal question “How can I live a meaningful life?”

Reviews

Goodreads review by Paul on December 06, 2021

EDITED PREAMBLE: It's been 13 years since this review and somehow it continues to be a popular introduction. Given the change in Haidt's trajectory from psychologist to pop-political and cultural commentator, this makes me a bit uncomfortable. Similar to Steven Pinker, Haidt has diverged from his ar......more

Goodreads review by Richard on February 15, 2016

As I was reading the first few chapters, I put this book on my “to buy” list, but my enthusiasm ebbed as I finished the book, and my natural inclination not to buy books I never expect to re-read has taken over. But it’s still a book I think I can recommend: it has plenty of interesting and thoughtfu......more

Goodreads review by Roy on September 04, 2020

If you read The Happiness Hypothesis after Haidt’s The Righteous Mind, then I think you are bound to be a little disappointed. Whereas the latter is informative, original, and at times challenging, this book waters down Haidt’s genuine insight with a good deal of pop psychology and self-help. Accordi......more

Goodreads review by Paul on October 25, 2020

My pop-psychology bingo card was full by like page 30 . . . did you know that humans are most comfortable with a social circle of 150 people? Did you know that children who can resist stealing a cookie have better self-control later in life? Did you know that we have two 'minds' that are often in co......more

Quotes

"The Happiness Hypothesis is a wonderful and nuanced book that provides deep insight into the some of the most important questions in life -- Why are we here? What kind of life should we lead? What paths lead to happiness? From the ancient philosophers to cutting edge scientists, Haidt weaves a tapestry of the best and the brightest. His highly original work on elevation and awe -- two long-neglected emotions -- adds a new weave to that tapestry. A truly inspiring book."—David M. Buss, author of The Evolution of Desire

"In this beautifully written book, Jonathan Haidt shows us the deep connection that exists between cutting-edge psychological research and the wisdom of the ancients. It is inspiring to see how much modern psychology informs life's most central and persistent questions."—Barry Schwartz, author of The Paradox of Choice

"In our quest for happiness, we must find a balance between modern science and ancient wisdom, between East and West, and between 'left brain' and 'right brain.' Haidt has struck that balance perfectly, and in doing so has given us the most brilliant and lucid analysis of virtue and well-being in the entire literature of positive psychology. For the reader who seeks to understand happiness, my advice is: Begin with Haidt."—Martin E.P. Seligman, Director, Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Authentic Happiness

"Haidt is a fine guide on this journey between past and present, discussing the current complexities of psychological theory with clarity and humor. . . Haidt's is an open-minded, robust look at philosophy, psychological fact and spiritual mystery, of scientific rationalism and the unknowable ephemeral -- an honest inquiry that concludes that the best life is, perhaps, one lived in the balance of opposites." —Bookpage

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