Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom - The Happiness Hypothesis

I love this book, it's very interesting and fascinating! Every other sentence I'm nodding "wow, yeah that's true, I didn't see it that way!". This book offers a great insight into people's minds and hearts, and explains what the true drivers of happiness are. The elephant and the rider analogy completely makes sense. This book has made a difference in my life, I now look at things from a different viewpoint. The author's knowledge of biology, human anatomy, philosophy, psychology, sociology is very impressive. He explains human behavior using scientific studies and theories but also gives his own personal opinion and ideas which makes the book more personable and reader-friendly and not just a stiff textbook. An overall excellent book!

Haidt attempts a synthesis of the proto-psychological observations of the sages from the western, middle eastern, Chinese and Indian cultural traditions with modern psychological research into the cognitive and emotional functioning of healthy minds. There is much that is interesting in the book, from both the psychological and historical perspective, but the author's concern for accessibility (for which he thanks, or perhaps blames, an employee of his publisher) has come at the expense of achieving any sort of depth - scientific, philosophical or literary. The book doesn't know whether it is work of popular science or pop-philosophy, a self help guide, or an autobiography. They only good thing about the writing (and about that of most books that have suffered the attentions of a specialist in "creative" or "accessible" writing) is that it serves to throw the quality of the writing or rhetoric of the sages or their historians into luminous relief. The book also panders to either its presumed audience, or the author's American guilt about his atheism, but devoting disproportionate attention to the mechanisms and psychological implications of religious thought; all of which is interesting in moderation, but which in superfluity reduces the book's effectiveness in discussing all other forms of healthy human mental functioning.

For all that, I found the book well worth reading, and am now motivated to find a text on positive psychology, and dig into the Haidt's extensive and well considered biography to learn about the research progress in some technical depth.The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom

This book is an excellent reading & learning source that will not let you stop reading because it elevates your curiosity as you follow exactly how Dr Haidt depicts the changes & comparison of how we think, feel & act. Unlike reading other books- on every topic there is an outcome from the hypothesis. I will recommend it to all my students, family & friends. I am more motivated to follow through w/ all his books - It got me hooked to question my beliefs & judgment on certain things. Highly recommended !!!!!

After reading Jonathan Haidt's fascinating book on moral psychology (The Righteous Mind), I was drawn to this work, which focuses on happiness, morality, and the ways humans make meaning in their lives. Haidt's perspective is refreshing because it is both balanced and timeless: he highlights the ways in which modern research is validating ancient ideas, but does it without an unstated agenda. He recognizes his own biases and states the limitations of his conclusions regularly. The book reads like an intellectual journey in some ways.

I particularly enjoyed the sections on the emotions of disgust, elation, and flow. As neurology and psychology are beginning to bring the physiological origins of these emotions into focus, Haidt points out that entire cultures and traditions have already been built up around them—think religious taboos, mystical experiences, and meditation.

This book is a solemn reminder that modern science is beginning to validate ancient wisdom, and there is a place for both in the modern world. If you're frustrated with the polarization of opposing groups and ideologies, this book will serve as a breath of fresh air.

This is another book referenced in Tony Hsieh's book.

Very interesting connections across physiology, psychology and sociology centering on culture and the origins of morals, and, their inseparable connection to happiness.

By no means is this a book about religion or religious morals, although Haidt definitely discusses these topics since they play a role in the evolution (if you will) of human thought and philosophy and in how we live our lives (whether we practice a religion or not).

Treats several hot-button topics in a neutral way, with plenty of humor, and honesty. Among the many eye-popping narratives, one theme that was a highlight for me was how a professed atheist political liberal not only treats a topic full of religious conservative viewpoints with hard-to-find intellectual honesty (from any side of an issue), but is able to make a solid argument for why G-d, religion, and Conservative viewpoints are not only subjects to be treated with respect, but are essential elements to a fully functional strong society -- alongside a-religious, scientific, and liberal viewpoints. Think: Yin & Yang.

Fascinating stuff and highly recommended. I ran through the book to see how things wrapped up, but there's so much really strong material in it that I will be re-reading it pretty soon to take my time and take more notes.

I have written three happiness books in Finnish. Thus I know how hard it is to write something which is not too simple or too difficult. There are many books that promise too much, but this is not one of them. What I especially like is the tight story. Everything hangs nicely together. I am able to compare the books written by academic psychologists, because I have all the major happiness books. This is really on top. It covers the major areas, is very well written and does not promise too much. I want to warn you about the books whose title is something like "Happiness now" or "How to be happy". It is extremely difficult to raise your happiness level.

This book hit me in my wheelhouse. I'm interested in why and how we behave the way we do and this explains things effectively.

One of the best written books I've read in a while it was hard to put down.

His elephant/rider metaphor dovetails nicely with McClean's triune brain model.

Based on this book I am going to read his other works.

This book contains lessons regarding what makes people happy, regardless of sex, race, age, religion, or nationality. This is not a self-help book, but a book that can help you understand happiness, and therefore become better able to find/possess it in your own life. I, and my wisest friends and family members, have all been impressed and touched by this book. The Happiness Hypothesis is one of the most insightful works I have had the pleasure of experiencing and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

It provided me powerful insights into motivation. It also contains excellent research to back up assertions, presented in an understandable fashion.

I actually bought the book by accident. I was looking through the store's highly rated books, and my big fat finger mistakenly hit Buy-It-Now. I went ahead and started reading it.

You will not making an accident by buying this book.

The book gives a very detailed account on happiness from many different view points. It picks apart old and new aspects of happiness theories and puts them together in a seamless hypothesis. From how happiness is only a chemical reaction with in our brain, to how we need to have social connections to achieve greater happiness,the book goes into great detail on many of these conditions for happiness.
Myself, personally I have taken the advice from the book and used it in my life.I now know that to achieve happiness I can follow many different paths but with the guidance of the happiness hypothesis, the paths I take will be more fulfilling and rewarding. Highly recommend this book to people that are both happy and unhappy, you will not be disappointed. The insights you get are super helpful to understand how to make other people and yourself happy, especially if your stuck in a hole and can't seem to find a way out of it.

The book gives a very detailed account on happiness from many different view points. It picks apart old and new aspects of happiness theories and puts them together in a seamless hypothesis. From how happiness is only a chemical reaction with in our brain, to how we need to have social connections to achieve greater happiness,the book goes into great detail on many of these conditions for happiness.
Myself, personally I have taken the advice from the book and used it in my life.I now know that to achieve happiness I can follow many different paths but with the guidance of the happiness hypothesis, the paths I take will be more fulfilling and rewarding. Highly recommend this book to people that are both happy and unhappy, you will not be disappointed. The insights you get are super helpful to understand how to make other people and yourself happy, especially if your stuck in a hole and can't seem to find a way out of it.

This book is helping me feel more control over my life and emotions. This is just what I needed and recommend it to anyone that finds themselves in a beaten down pessimistic mode. The information and how Jonathan delivers it can really help to turn things around and help you find the growth in all hardships.

As the book intends to be, it addresses the happiness by breaking down the human nature, under the religious, psichological/biological and philosofical points of view. And also addresses the connection between the point of views.
Very inspirational and useful for self-knowledge.
I strongly recommend.

So I started reading this book safe in the knowledge I was a rational human being; very quickly I discovered I, like everybody else in the world, was an intuitionist and my views and judgements of other people are far kinder now. I'm a nicer dude now, and that's the truth!

Fantastic advice. I think most self help books are all self perpetuating bulls*** (see my other reviews) however this book has good advice. Get's a bit mystical/bulls*** at the end but that doesn't change the accuracy of the first bit

this book is truly incredible and I would recommend this to anyone who needs guidance. It will get you back on the right path and explain what you can do to create meaning in your life. We all live off our conscious mind, but our emotions are stronger.

The Happiness Hypothesis is an extraordinary book. I've read many books on happiness, and this is by far the best. It addresses ten issues concerning happiness (e.g., Does adversity make us stronger? Is a virtuous life likely to be a happy life?) in a lively, very readable style. Author Haidt gives just the right level of detail, and brings together a wonderfully entertaining combination of psychology and philosophy. He makes reference to most major religions, but the book can still be enjoyed regardless of one's personal beliefs (except for someone who doesn't want to read about any faith but his/her own). Haidt's references to psychological research can be easily understood by laymen (like me) and seem to be quite up-to-date. I highly recommend this book.

This was recommended to me by a liberal professor/pastor friend. While I am an evangelical conservative, we both like philosophy and psychology and this book has plenty of both. The author appears very ambitious, seeking to tell us how to be happy and find meaning in life, by studying all the World's great religions and combining them with modern positive psychology to synthesize key lessons on happiness and well being.

I found the book very stimulating. I liked the many studies he cited, some of which confirmed my beliefs, while others extended my horizons. He is witty and winsome with sharing his personal experiences. In my mind the only flaws are hubris and some distracting material on evolution.

This book does a great job of synthesizing the research on happiness with psychology research and spiritual materials. We had all the senior directors of our large management consulting firm read this book, and they loved it. I had my mom read this book and she loved it. This book is interesting, entertaining, and insightful for any audience. I highly recommend this book!

We all can overcome our personal and cultural blinders by learning from the past and from people who think differently from us. Reason is important but it is only one part of us. We also need meaning and sacredness. Beautifully said.

Well worth the read even if you are familiar with the psychological underpinnings of the arguments the author makes, he marries it up with Judeo Christian as well as Eastern teachings and it all handsomely makes sense. To a point.

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.

This book is incredibly relevant in a toxic culture of division. I think a path forward to civility and unity in our society begins with many of the ideas in this book, which illuminates the individual and collective search for happiness.

I instinctively, and reflectively, though that 'I' was made of a primitive person and a thinking person more or less working together. I developed a philosophy of 'do under others' and 'innocent until proven guilty' and the like without knowing how much of what I believed was universal. Haidt explains all of that, and more.

The actual content of te book is pretty good (mostly) but it sometimes digs too much on trying to make a point and you get lost or bored for sections... Took me more time than usual to finish it and makes it hard to connect everything said...

Haidt synthesizes many "Great Ideas" of ancient traditions with the findings of modern evolutionary and social psychology to give a helpful suggestion of how to assure our lives are purposeful and therefore, happy. His style is amazingly accessible, his voice is very down to earth and sharing, and his own insights add to the total understanding he imparts.

Book came in brand new condition and faster than expected. I personally recommend this book for anyone looking to find their happiness. We often get caught up in other people's idea of happiness and never truly find what makes us happy. Haidt does an amazing job of letting his readers take a step back and reevaluate their values.

Aristotle believed that all things in the universe had a telos, or purpose toward which they aimed... Human beings need a target, a purpose/goal otherwise they become just like another animal in the heard doing what everyone else is doing and not really sure where they are going and even really knowing what or why they are doing whatever it is they are doing. This can easily be seen in the American consumerism culture in where the collective consciousness of people get sucked up into whatever flashy object, event or celebrity gossip they can buy, take or consume that they believe will instantly solve their immediate problems or mind state and make them happy.

I recently finished reading and then re-reading my highlights and notes of "The Happiness Hypothesis" by Jonathan Haidth. When the founder of TED, Chris Anderson, was asked what was one if his favorite books, this was the first one he mentioned. There is more in the book than I could possible mention in this post, but the main premise of the book is using some of the greatest thinkers and historic figures of past and their ancient tested (and mostly proven) ideas of happiness and fulfillment from different cultures and faiths and then combining them with modern science and psychology findings.
In this book he claims that our minds can be looked at with a metaphor of a rider on top of an elephant. The rider is the logical mind who wants to go in a particular direction, but only has so much power and control. If the elephant (the subconscious and emotional part) really wants to do something, there is very little stopping it.

People are happiest when they find their flow state, that is all different levels of the mind; wants, strengths, needs and desires are working together and moving in the same direction, like a perfectly tuned car. The rider should mostly just be guiding the elephant and keeping it out of trouble to reach the same common goal. You want to have a cross-level coherent life in which your lower modalities of thoughts and drives mesh as closely as possible to your higher levels of thoughts and ambitions. Most of us are torn by internal contradictions and neurotic conflicts because these levels don't cohere.
If you want to be happiest in life, don't just be a mere consumer (or taker of value), the next pair of shoes or most expensive car you can afford is not going to bring your life value and fulfillment. Align all your strengths and passions together and produce more value to the world than you could ever consume. Paradoxically this will create more long term happiness than anything else possibly could.
I highly recommend reading this book.

I liked that the author gave a comprehensive perspective on the happiness hypothesis by making connections through the various theories and approaches. He had a light hearted tone from start to finish making it an easy read. Truly enjoyed. :)

I read this after Dr. Haidt's The Righteous Mind. I am ridiculously educated and recognized myself as holding liberal attitudes. I thought my liberal biases were because I had endured much personal hardship in my life and came through by my efforts, persistence, and opportunity. Fairness was most important. Dr. Haidt illuminates other important elements of my natural and social understanding of the world. I always believed that no matter how dismal my personal failures that Christ Jesus wanted me to succeed saving a job for me - meaning that happiness was in every gleam of hope however fleeting and minute that I could change the course of my miserable, broken life. I was affirmed by the positive feelings of flow and sustained by the invisible hand of God. "I've seen the clouds from both sides now...." Laughing Out Loud. I do not take the wisdom of conservative attitudes lightly. Now I am one. I hold conservative values as described by Dr. Haidt. I hold conservative values dear myself. The hummingbird and the honeybee, Dear. The hive and the bee.

Wonderful mix of science and old wisdom wonderfully written! One of the very best books I have read in quite some time. I savored every page and will read this book at least 3 or 4 times. It is that good and that important.

I really enjoyed Haidt's book. But it's definitely an odd book. The first half reads like a survey of the latest findings from positive psychology. Haidt also clumsily integrates quotes from various religions and philosophers, which I found sort of gimmicky.

The second half, starting with the chapter on Virtue, is Haidt's grand thesis. What started out as gimmicky - Haidt's analysis of world religions with respect to modern psychology - is finally consummated. Haidt presents evolutionary psychology's understanding of religion (it arose to assist group selection) and argues that while religion is wrong insofar as it postulates absolutes, it is integral to human happiness insofar as it militates against the free-rider problem. So Haidt, who freely admits he believes God is purely a fictional construct of the mind, finds value in theism because it motivates people to act altruistically. This is quite interesting because most atheists usually dismiss religions as unnecessary to create a civil society. Haidt seems to make the opposite case.

In the end, though, I found Haidt's advocacy of religion to be reductionistic and paternalistic. It seems to me that you can get religion's community spirit through other avenues, like nationalism. If religion's central premise, there is more to existence than the physical word, is false, then religious belief is delusional. Second, I thought Haidt's attempt to bridge the gap between science and religion was really subsuming religion under science. It's like declaring truce and then slipping a shiv in the opponent's gut while you shake hands. It's not very intellectually honest. And third, and this is somewhat tangential, I thought Haidt's understanding of all world religions as basically about the same thing was reductionistic and incorrect. For instance, Haidt argues that all religions posit the essential divinity within all people. This is the case with many Eastern religions, but this is certainly not the case with the classic monotheistic religions. In fact, in Christianity, this is the essence of what is wrong with the world, that humanity tries illegitimately to grasp the divine prerogatives.

But overall, I really enjoyed Haidt's book. His prose was very conversational and he tried to seem fair to both sides. Best of all, I found his thesis thought-provoking and engaging.

excellent (with one word i can say everything. this new the store requirement to explain with so many words seems to me out of place. i hope they go back to the prior way of giving feed back. its easier and faster)

Offers amazing insight into the various new data on how to achieve happiness. In this generation everything will try to deter you from the truth if you want to learn it this book is another step in the right direction.

Elephant-rider, an easy to understand analogy chosen by the author.
An easy read, explained in plain English words, no much of technical jargon.

This book helps to understand when is the elephant dominating and where the rider is in our-self and to take a good control before situation goes out of control.

One of the best books I read in this genre.

Even Audio version of this book soothingly narrated, available on Audible.com.
Recommend audio version for those who does not have time to sit and read through the book.

I really appreciate the dedication put into this book . I like that all the theories are backed by Science . It's the type of information you would get from an Ivy league course in communication, philosophy, and psychology . It's easy to read and each chapter grows on the next , and each chapter has one core philosophy that you can contemplate into your own life .

Jonathan is a wonderful writer and a true scholar. I devoured this book in two days. The Happiness Hypothesis should be required reading for anyone interested in living a more happy and fulfilled life.