The happiness hypothesis : putting ancient wisdom and philosophy to the test of modern science

After I read this book, I was so impressed that I passed it around the house, and pestered everyone in the family until they read it, which they were all very happy about in the end. Everyone agrees it is incredibly well-written, in a very clear and engaging style. It presents enough specifics and examples to support the larger points being made, and builds logically and seamlessly as it progresses. It illuminates so many interesting insights into how the mind really works and what really motivates us. The "rider on the elephant" metaphor for the relationship between the conscious mind and the automatic, largely subconscious mind is really so useful and powerful in so many contexts. I have only one minor quibble, and this is because I was particularly interested in how the book deals with meditation practice. Haidt suggests that the Buddha was teaching people how to be "happy" by being "indifferent" to one's experiences. Actually, the Buddha encouraged people to be \*liberated from suffereing\*, not happy, by cultivating \*equanimity\*, which is not at all the same as indifference. This misunderstanding may be widespread in our society, and presenting Buddhism in this light worked in terms of the overall message, but it is still a misunderstanding. However, it's still a fantastic book. Jonathon Haidt is a terrifically productive thinker about psychology. This is book is a credo and a guide book to your own happiness via an accomplished romp through the psychological literature which Haidt uses to explore the truths of ancient religion. I'm surprised it's not a wild best seller, but I think I know why - it doesn't have an singular and catchy formula for your salvation which you can learn in your lunchtime and hear about ad nauseam on late night TV infomercials. Just well written, well thought out commentary on the formula for a happy and fulfilled life distilled from the psychological literature. Applies the latest findings in psychology and brain research to the wisdom of the ancients to define what makes people happy and how you can find more happiness in your life. Confirms and builds on the happiness formula defined by other psychologists: H=S+C+V or Happiness = your biological Setpoint + the Conditions of your life + the Voluntary activities you do Drawing on the inspiration of both philosophy and science, this book exposes traditional wisdom to the scrutiny of modern science, delivering many insights. It tells that virtue is often not its own reward, why extroverts really are happier than introverts, and why conscious thought is not as important as we might like to think. 'The Happiness Hypothesis' exposes traditional wisdom to the scrutiny of modern science, delivering startling insights. This work helps readers learn that virtue is often not its own reward, why extroverts really are happier than introverts, and why conscious thought is not as important as we might like to think. Introduction: Too much wisdom The divided self Changing your mind Reciprocity with a vengeance The faults of others The pursuit of happiness Love and attachments The uses of adversity The felicity of virtue Divinity with or without God Happiness comes from between Conclusion: On balance.