The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom [Hardcover]

Jonathan Haidt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 22, 2005

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, lamented St. Paul, and this engrossing scientific interpretation of traditional lore backs him up with hard data. Citing Plato, Buddha and modern brain science, psychologist Haidt notes the mind is like an "elephant" of automatic desires and impulses atop which conscious intention is an ineffectual "rider." Haidt sifts Eastern and Western religious and philosophical traditions for other nuggets of wisdom to substantiate—and sometimes critique—with the findings of neurology and cognitive psychology. The Buddhist-Stoic injunction to cast off worldly attachments in pursuit of happiness, for example, is backed up by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's studies into pleasure. And Nietzsche's contention that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger is considered against research into post-traumatic growth. An exponent of the "positive psychology" movement, Haidt also offers practical advice on finding happiness and meaning. Riches don't matter much, he observes, but close relationships, quiet surroundings and short commutes help a lot, while meditation, cognitive psychotherapy and Prozac are equally valid remedies for constitutional unhappiness. Haidt sometimes seems reductionist, but his is an erudite, fluently written, stimulating reassessment of age-old issues. (Jan.)
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From Booklist

Using the wisdom culled from the world's greatest civilizations as a foundation, social psychologist Haidt comes to terms with 10 Great Ideas, viewing them through a contemporary filter to learn which of their lessons may still apply to modern lives. He first discusses how the mind works and then examines the Golden Rule ("Reciprocity is the most important tool for getting along with people"). Next, he addresses the issue of happiness itself--where does it come from?--before exploring the conditions that allow growth and development. He also dares to answer the question that haunts most everyone--What is the meaning of life?--by again drawing on ancient ideas and incorporating recent research findings. He concludes with the question of meaning: Why do some find it? Balancing ancient wisdom and modern science, Haidt consults great minds of the past, from Buddha to Lao Tzu and from Plato to Freud, as well as some not-so-greats: even Dr. Phil is mentioned. Fascinating stuff, accessibly expressed. June Sawyers
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 16 and up
  
• Hardcover: 297 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1 edition (December 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465028012
• ISBN-13: 978-0465028016
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (142 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #488,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A strange path led me to write the Happiness Hypothesis. It all started with an existential crisis in high school -- after reading "Waiting for Godot" I became convinced there was no meaning to life. So I majored in philosophy in college, which was of little help. Then I went to graduate school in psychology, where I began to study morality and culture. Then I did post-doctoral research in anthropology (including 3 months in India), then a year of research in health psychology. It felt like meandering at the time, but every period of these travels contributed many ideas to The Happiness Hypothesis, which ends with an answer to the question: What is the meaning of life?

I'm now an associate professor of psychology at the University of Virginia -- an idyllic university founded by Thomas Jefferson. My next projects will involve taking the insights about balance and virtue that I came to while writing the Happiness Hypothesis, and applying them to the American culture wars. I am conducting research that may help liberals and conservatives to understand each other -- and why both sides are necessary for the health of our democracy.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

176 of 190 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the BEST BOOKS I've read in the past year, January 18, 2006

By 

Intuition_Gal - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom (Hardcover)

This book is absolutely incredible - so much fascinating information, and so readable!!

First of all, the main hypothesis, that people make decisions with their gut and then use their brains to rationalize those decisions, is well supported. The examples are clear, real, and alive. You'll walk away from the book thinking, there are so many things that I do that I'm completely unaware of.

Secondly, my favorite thing about this book was that it was SO READABLE: it sounds like Jon Haidt is sitting across from you and speaking to you. (For example, you may have heard of the one and two marshmallow studies, but the story-like way that Haidt describes it will really capture your attention). Even the headings and section titles kept my curiosity up: what could that next section be about?

Third, the section on why human beings are hypocrites (ch. 4) is extremely interesting.

Finally, there is so much philosophy and history of psychology interwoven into the hypothesis of the book that you feel like you keep entering a new theatrical stage: one stage after the other, going to the center of a performance. And the best thing is, all the history, etc. is presented as "here is this story that shows why this happens" and "here's this other story."

132 of 147 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book........HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, December 28, 2005

By 

Ethan J. Appleby (Reston, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom (Hardcover)

This is flat out one of the most interesting, entertaining, and educational books I have read. Haidt has the true ability to bring truth and understanding to difficult issues. For some, it will make them think about things in ways they probably never have, for others it will make sense out of things that confused them, for me it did both. I can honestly say it made me look at certain aspects of my life and the world around me in a very different way and helped me grow as a person.

149 of 169 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific! Likely to Be in My Top Ten Books of the Year: An Outstanding Contribution, March 12, 2006

By 

Dr. Richard G. Petty (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom (Hardcover)

This is a remarkable book, that gives the lie to the old statement that people who have something to say can't normally express themselves, but those who are good at expressing themselves don't normally have much to say!

Using delightful sparkling prose, Jonathan Haidt has written a meaty and worthwhile book about happiness, emotion and the creation of personal meaning. It is so rare nowadays to find people who can place their work in a broad historical and cultural context. Yet Haidt does just that. Here we have a book in which discussions of the brain rub shoulders with the sayings of the Buddha.

I am sure that nobody is going to agree with everything that he says. But neither would he want us to: he is informing and provoking discussion and understanding. I worry a little about the scientists and writers who try to reduce complex behaviors to neurons and hormones alone, and Jonathan avoids that trap.

This is an insightful book that belongs on the shelf of anyone interested in some of the fundamental problems of living a happy, fulfilled life, and of making a positive contribution to the world.

Very highly recommended.