Caspar turkil studies how our culture is shaped by collective organizations like religious groups. He argues that we need to copy what religion does right in order to improve our collective loneliness. There's lots of evidence that individuals who engage in religious services are happier than those who report not being so religious. But the science suggests that this happiness boost doesn't stemp from what religious individuals believe.
Loneliness is a far more common and far more serious problem than we think. It affects one in five Americans, and takes a toll on our bodies and minds. To thrive we need to several types of social interactions - both casual and more intimate.
With the help of US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy; Harvard Divinity School fellow Casper ter Kuile; and friendship expert Marisa Franco; Dr Laurie Santos looks at how loneliness might be affecting you or someone you know, and what science-back steps you can take to increase your circle of friends.
For further reading:
Vivek Murthy - Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World.
Marisa Franco - Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends as an Adult.
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