The Happiness Hypothesis by

The Happiness Hypothesis delves into the age-old wisdom passed down through generations, questioning whether these traditional beliefs hold up under modern scientific scrutiny. Author Jonathan Haidt examines why constraints can be beneficial, the origins of true love, and the surprising role of conscious thought in our well-being. This book challenges our modern pursuit of more money, love, and success, offering profound insights into what truly makes us happy. Through a blend of psychology and philosophy, Haidt reveals startling truths about human nature and happiness. He explores why we often yearn to be part of something larger than ourselves and how our traditional wisdom can be both enlightening and misleading. This thought-provoking book will change the way you think about happiness and what it means to live a fulfilling life.

Reviews

Uniformly Uninformative · 2021-04-30

fascinating 4.50

The book is praised for consolidating fascinating information from various sources, making it a great read. It is particularly noted for its exploration of happiness from both psychological and philosophical standpoints.

The reviewer highly recommends this book, stating it consolidates a lot of interesting information from other notable works. They find the exploration of happiness from psychological and philosophical angles particularly fascinating. The reviewer also appreciates how the book ties together different schools of thought, making it a unique and engaging read. However, they might have wished for more practical advice or exercises to apply the theories discussed.

Quick quotes

This is a really great book which consolidated a lot of information I found really fascinating.

It is particularly noted for its exploration of happiness from both psychological and philosophical standpoints.

The book ties together different schools of thought, making it a unique and engaging read.

The Guardian · 2006-07-22

insightful 4.00

The book argues for a return to ancient wisdom, blending modern psychology with timeless philosophical insights. It challenges conventional metaphors of information processing, offering a fresh perspective on happiness.

The reviewer appreciates Haidt's approach to happiness, which draws from both ancient wisdom and modern psychology. They find the book's critique of traditional information processing metaphors particularly compelling, suggesting a more holistic view of human nature. The reviewer also highlights how the book bridges the gap between different schools of thought, making it a unique and valuable read. However, they might have wished for more practical applications of the theories discussed.

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Forget metaphors of information processing.

Psychologist Jonathan Haidt argues for a return to the wisdom of the ancients.

The book offers a fresh perspective on happiness.

Greater Good Magazine · 2006-03-01

comprehensive 4.25

The book provides a detailed answer to the question of happiness by aligning philosophical, religious, and theoretical perspectives. It is praised for its comprehensive exploration of the subject.

The reviewer finds Haidt's hypothesis to be thorough and well-researched, integrating various perspectives on happiness. They appreciate how the book delves into philosophical, religious, and theoretical aspects, offering a multifaceted understanding of the topic. The reviewer also notes that the book is empowering, providing readers with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. However, they might have found some sections dense, requiring careful reading to fully grasp the concepts.

Quick quotes

Jonathan Haidt's book offers a detailed answer to this question.

His 'happiness hypothesis' aligns philosophical, religious, and theoretical perspectives.

The book is empowering, providing readers with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.

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