Making Sense with Sam Harris #196 — The Science of Happiness
Apr 10, 2020
Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of the Happiness Lab podcast, dives into the scientific study of happiness. She discusses how social connections can enhance well-being and the impacts of technology on our relationships. Santos also explores the differences between the experiencing self and the remembered self, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and resilience. The conversation touches on the joy of altruism and the misconception that achieving goals leads to lasting happiness, revealing deeper insights into desire and fulfillment.
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Defining Happiness
- Well-being involves happiness in your life (positive emotions) and with your life (satisfaction).
- Laurie Santos wishes for better, universally accepted terminology around happiness.
Experiencing vs. Remembering Self
- Sam Harris argues the remembering self is just one mode of the experiencing self.
- Santos agrees, noting the difficulty of pinpointing a timeline for the remembered self.
Mount Everest Analogy
- Climbing Mount Everest, though physically arduous, can be reframed as a positive life highlight.
- This demonstrates how framing affects the experience.