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The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: adversity hypothesis, happiness hypothesis, virtue hypothesis, Without God, Happiness Comes, United States (more...)

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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.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Basic Books (December 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0465028020
ISBN-13: 978-0465028023
Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.4 x 1.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (94 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,026 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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#1 in	Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > Metaphysics
#1 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Psychology & Counseling > Philosophy of Psychology
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Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
adversity hypothesis, happiness hypothesis, virtue hypothesis, interpreter module, vital engagement, kin altruism, companionate love, withdrawal system, cloth mother

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Without God, Happiness Comes, United States, The Pursuit of Happiness, The Felicity of Virtue, The Divided Self, The Faults of Others, Changing Your Mind, The Uses of Adversity, Lady Philosophy, University of Virginia, Ben Franklin, Holy Question, World War, Bhagavad Gita, New York, Great Depression, African Americans, Aaron Beck, Don Corleone, Lao Tzu

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Citations (learn more)

This book cites 70 books:

Social Psychology by Ronald J. Fisher on 6 pages
Social Psychology by Richard E. Nisbett in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
Social Psychology (with InfoTrac) by H. Andrew Michener in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
Social Psychology by Eliot R. Smith in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
Social Psychology (MyPsychLab Series) by Robert A. Baron in Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)

See all 70 books this book cites

2 books cite this book:

Guide to Self: The Beginner's Guide to Managing Emotion and Thought by John L. Schinnerer in Front Matter, Back Matter (1), and Back Matter (2)
A Generous Presence: Spiritual Leadership and the Art of Coaching by Rochelle Melander in Back Matter

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	92% buy the item featured on this page: The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom 4.7 out of 5 stars (94) $11.53
	3% buy Stumbling on Happiness 4.0 out of 5 stars (257) $10.85
	2% buy The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want 4.6 out of 5 stars (72) $10.20
	2% buy The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less 4.2 out of 5 stars (116) $10.79

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happiness(16)

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Customer Reviews

94 Reviews

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
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Average Customer Review

4.7 out of 5 stars (94 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 96 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."

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101 of 112 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.

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116 of 132 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

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.

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