The Dissenter

#1202 Valerie Tiberius: The Philosophy and Psychology of Well-Being

Jan 15, 2026
Guest
Valerie Tiberius
Valerie Tiberius, a philosophy professor at the University of Minnesota and author of *What Do You Want Out of Life?*, dives deep into the intricacies of well-being. She discusses her value fulfillment theory, emphasizing that well-being is tied to personal values over time. The conversation explores the balance between gut instincts and reflective wisdom, how to resolve conflicting values, and the link between happiness and morality. Tiberius also touches on the role of virtues in achieving a good life and argues for the moral importance of pursuing happiness—not just for oneself, but for others too.
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INSIGHT

Well-Being As Value Fulfillment

  • Well-being depends on the things you value and how those values are fulfilled over time.
  • Valerie Tiberius calls this the value-fulfillment theory where well-being is shaped by your goals and values.
INSIGHT

Pain As A Signal Of Value Failure

  • Pain signals failure to secure what we value and so is typically bad for us even on a value-based view.
  • Tiberius argues pain functions as a perception that something important is going wrong for your goals.
INSIGHT

Hidden Goals In Depression

  • Even severely depressed people typically retain aversions or subconscious goals that indicate what would be good for them.
  • Tiberius cites clinical patterns where goals reemerge when depression alleviates as evidence for underlying motives.
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