The Happiness Hypothesis. Putting Ancient Wisdom to the Test of Modern Science
A brilliantly original exploration of what we can learn about the meaning of human life and how we should live our lives, drawing both on the wisdom of the great thinkers and on the insights of modern science. For all readers of Alain de Botton.
Every culture rests on a bedrock of folk wisdom handed down through generations. The pronouncements of philosophers are homespun by our grandmothers, and find their way into our common sense: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Do unto others as you would have done unto you. Happiness comes from within.
But are these 'truths' really true? Today many of us seem to prefer to cling to the notion that a little bit more money, love or success will make us truly happy. Are we wrong?
In The Happiness Hypothesis, psychologist Jonathan Haidt exposes traditional wisdom to the scrutiny of modern science, delivering startling insights. We learn why constraints are good for us and choice is (sometimes) bad; where true love comes from; why conscious thought us not as important as we might think; and why we yearn to become part of something larger than ourselves.
Drawing on the rich inspiration of both philosophy and science, The Happiness Hypothesis is a remarkable, original and provocative book - ancient wisdom for our time.
