The Happiness Hypothesis- Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

• URL

1. great idea of thinking self as a logical rider + an elephant (hard to control)
2. suggest three ways to change/guide the “elephant”-self
   • meditation
   • cognitive therapy, like using music
   • medication
3. social Happiness: understanding the deep workings of reciprocity can help to solve problems
4. confirmation bias, thinking about our own fault, do not treat self too seriously
5. happiness: = set point + condition + voluntary activities
   • set point and life condition are mostly hard to change factors
   • external conditions bad for happiness: noise / lack of control / shame / …
   • key to finding your own gratification is to know your own strengths
   • doing challenging and achieving things make you happy!!!
6. great summary of insightful nuggets from URL
   • e.g., Pleasure comes more from making progress toward goals than from achieving them.
   • e.g., Haidt’s belief that the chief causes of evil are moral idealism and high self-esteem.
   • e.g., Wisdom is the ability to adapt, to shape the environment, and to know when to move to new environments.
   • e.g., The three levels of work are a job, a career, and a calling. The more autonomy at work, the more happiness.
   • e.g., Vital engagement in the world leads to love made visible, which is a sign of deep happiness. Work that does good for others and that leads to income and recognition will enhance happiness.
   • e.g., Eastern views and conservative politics focus on the collective, while Western views and liberal politics tend to focus on the individual.