#35 The Happiness Hypothesis (Jonathan Haidt, 2006)

This week we discuss The Happiness Hypothesis. Jonathon has laid out for us 10 key ideas derived from ancient wisdom that guide us in ways to achieve human flourishing and happiness, taking a positive psychology approach. We talk about a number of concepts around aligning our values with day to day action, integrating our personality across multiple levels and ways to cope during adversity. We also look into what Jonathon means by 'Happiness Between', work's role in happiness, how to change our mind and his notion of training the 'rider' of our emotional 'elephant' in order to create sustained change. A real catch all episode.    Hope you enjoy.  Will & Luke.    00:00 Introduction  03:00 Elephant and Rider concept  5:30 The uses of adversity (post traumatic growth).  3 Levels of integration to achieve in our personality - basic traits, characteristic adaptations and our life story.  Ways of coping - active, appraisal and avoidance. (Adapting self, adapting to environment and changing environment)  15:30 Pursuit of Happiness - Chapter 5 - Matching long term goals with short term ones. Taking action vs acceptance and loss of attachments. (Adaptation principle) (Progress principle)  21:10 Work's role in Happiness and discovering meaning (Engaging in our environment and work matching values)  25:15 Happiness Hypothesis - Happiness comes from between  30:00 Change your mind - Re-training the elephant through strengthening the rider! How to create sustained change. Tightening up vs loosening.  38:00 The Divided self - reason and emotion working together  39:40 Virtue Ethics - building individual virtues and character  42:00 Life being play (seriousness vs sincerity) playing our 'role' in life. Not investing life so intensely that it becomes stressful. (Life story is - Reconstructed past,  perceived present and anticipated future)  47:00 Acceptance vs Striving   48:00 Conclusion    Find the book at: https://jonathanhaidt.com/   This specific episode can also be seen on: https://youtu.be/3wb9AnfCubM Check our Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Y_SKLFpax13442jA3giaw/videos   Listen to us on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2R1BRcriKWcvOU1XMJQhyW   Listen to us on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/will-luke-discuss/id1572512365   Listen to us on Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy81Zjk2YTNmYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==   Also available on: Anchor, Breaker, Pocket Casts, Radio Public.