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Happiness
Self-help often distills philosophical ideas for the modern ear. Sometimes, its better to go back to the source.
10mins
“If we're to be happy at all, it has to be found outside of this notion of pleasure. We have to step beyond hedonia. But the problem is that we risk going too far.”
If you're an atheist with a vocation, who laid that path for you?
Achieving values and pursuing growth is the real secret to a fulfilled life.
5mins
“If we didn't find helping other people pleasurable, we wouldn’t be altruistic.”
We must get happiness right — even when the world around us gets it wrong.
3mins
“Not only does Mother Nature not care about your happiness, she knows that we need lots of negative emotions to keep us alive.” Harvard happiness professor on why suffering IS necessary:
7mins
“Happiness is NOT about feelings.” Harvard happiness expert Arthur Brooks debunks the biggest myths about humanity’s most sought-after state, and explains how to actually get it.
The philosopher Skye C. Cleary explores what being authentically happy looks like in a world where so many can't be.
Taco Thursdays and free yoga have their limits — for lasting workplace happiness leaders need to think about purpose.
The Gallup World Poll reveals regional peaks and valleys of happiness across all of the continents.
Big Think recently spoke with Nick Bostrom about how humans might find fulfillment in a post-scarcity world.
From Taoism to hedonism, philosophers have devised all sorts of ways to live your best life.
Kahneman was a world-changing psychologist — even with his lesser known ideas on life satisfaction.
15mins
Harvard has conducted an 85-year-long study on what makes humans happy. Psychiatrist Robert Waldinger explains what they found.
BetterHelp
Happiness is not a five-star holiday. It's often the result of struggle — and asking for help, as author Stephanie Harrison recently told Big Think.
6mins
Pathologically busy people clamoring for happiness. Founder of HATCH Monica Parker explains how we can do so much better than that.
Neuroscientist Tali Sharot recently spoke with Big Think about a two-step method for escaping the dark sides of habits.
Some of the world's most satisfied societies are poor, small, and remote.
Studies claiming to reveal strategies for feeling happy get a second look.
8mins
Eastern religion meets Western psychology: meet the Harvard professor who’s also a Zen priest as he explains how to relieve suffering using both faith and neuroscience.
Between the hedonic and eudaimonic life, there's a happy medium to be found.
Instead of fear, his delusions bring him cheer. His psychiatrist embraces them.
11mins
"Resilience" is being able to withstand hardship; "antifragility" goes one step further.
Are fools happy and geniuses disorganized — or is that a mistaken stereotype?
What better explains the prevalence of heavy metal in Scandinavian countries: culture or economy?
Stoicism is popular today but often misunderstood and misapplied. In fact, a naive interpretation of Stoicism is damaging to your well-being.
6mins
Hustle culture is part of our DNA — but it’s making us unhappy. Yale psychologist Laurie Santos explains how to escape your inner drill sergeant and find peace in imperfection.
We all spend way too much time worrying what other people think of us — it’s time to cut loose.
6mins
Knowing your key strengths can make you happy in anything you do. Here’s how to identify them.