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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.
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.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ancient Wisdom + Modern Research,
By
This review is from: The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom: Why the Meaningful Life Is Closer Than You Think (Paperback)
Before hearing a CBC radio interview with the author, I never knew this field of psychology existed. I'm not really a big self-help reader, but I love this book.Professor Haidt matches ancient wisdom with modern research, and presents scholarly research in a very approachable, easy to read manner. Wonderfully written, and full of timeless advice. Thanks Professor Haidt for a wonderful book.
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome read!!,
By
This review is from: The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom (Hardcover)
The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom by Jonathan HaidtThis is one of the best books I have ever read. It is very psychologically and philospohically based. Thus, it should not be embarked upon lightly for it is quite dense. However, I have never read anything that so completely reframes everyday experience as this book. I really love it. It starts with looking at the evolution of the human brain and talks about the two parts of it: the elephant (wise emotional) and the rider (wise logical). Then the book continues to take the reader through the most popular spiritual, philospohical and psychological theories and compare their postulates against current psychological research. The results are pretty amazing. One of my favourites was the exploration of the adage : "money can't buy happiness". The author quips "It turns out it can if you just know where to shop". A short summary... Humans are excellant at adapting to their environment. So for most of us, the everyday becomes somewhat hum drum no matter what your everyday is like. (The author takes the time to explain when and why we don't adapt.) However, we feel happiness thoughtout our day when we are engaged in activities that suit are greatest strengths (possibilities such as compassion, creativity, learning, honesty, justice). The author further states that if we use money to buy experiences that allow us to use our strengths then we feel more happy on average than others. The same if we use our money to buy us time to use our strengths. (Examples... pay a cleaning service to free up time, painting classes (create your dustables instead of buying them), vacations, family picnics etc.) The trick was to use money on experiences not objects. The objects we acquire are only valuable in creating happiness while we are involved in the experience of purchasing them. Once they are home, on the shelf, in the living room etc., we adapt to their presense and no longer feel the passion they first ignited in us. This book has many more important suggestions. I recommend it to anyone who likes to shake up their perception of the world.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Happiness Hypothesis,
By Lisa "Lisa" (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom (Hardcover)
This was a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking book. Jonathan Haidt was able to put his own prejudices aside in the style of a true scientist and present evidence as to whether our ideas about what makes us happy work or don't work. He is involved in trying to understand in minute detail the factors which motivate humanity towards certain behaviours. He presents evidence which explains how our biology, our brain functioning may result in certain social behaviour and how this has in effect created the human animal in all its manifestations. I would have liked the book to be longer, and for him to have cited more examples. However, the book gave me a fresh perspective on a number of issues and helped me understand others in a new and more thorough way. He manages to do this with humour and a sense of fun which make me wish he'd been my college professor.
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