Summary of Jonathan Haidt's The Happiness Hypothesis

By IRB Media

Get the Summary of Jonathan Haidt's The Happiness Hypothesis in 20 minutes.

Please note: This is a summary & not the original book.

Original book introduction:Jonathan Haidt skillfully combines two genres-philosophical wisdom and scientific research-delighting the reader with surprising insights. He explains, for example, why we have such difficulty controlling ourselves and sticking to our plans; why no achievement brings lasting happiness, yet a few changes in your life can have profound effects, and why even confirmed atheists experience spiritual elevation. In a stunning final chapter, Haidt addresses the grand question "How can I live a meaningful life?," offering an original answer that draws on the rich inspiration of both philosophy and science.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Jan 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781952482359

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Overview

For thousands of years, great thinkers have pondered the meaning of life. An American social psychologist may have solved the puzzle.

The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom (2006) by Jonathan Haidt examines contemporary psychology in light of world philosophy. By exploring what great thinkers and scientists say about emotional experiences like adversity, love, and pleasure, Haidt determines the best ways to increase happiness and satisfaction in life.

Most people think of themselves as having a unified self with wants and needs. But one of the foundational ideas of contemporary psychology is that the mind is divided into different parts. Sometimes these different parts work independently, or are even at odds with one another.

Consider the metaphor of a rider on the back of an elephant. The rider is like the conscious mind, which includes all the thoughts and feelings of which a person is aware. The elephant is like the subconscious, which can be guided by the rider