Life Examined

Leading a good life doesn’t always mean leading an easy one

Sep 21, 2024
Lorraine Besser, a philosophy professor at Middlebury College and author of *The Art of the Interesting*, discusses the complexities of leading a fulfilling life. She emphasizes that true happiness often lies in embracing challenges, discomfort, and 'psychological richness' rather than merely pursuing pleasure. Besser argues that meaningful experiences come from navigating obstacles and that seeking fulfillment involves valuing the journey over the destination. Her insights challenge conventional notions of happiness, advocating for resilience and curiosity in the face of life's adversities.
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ANECDOTE

Lorraine Besser's Turning Point

  • Lorraine Besser shares how achieving tenure brought brief relief but highlighted the emptiness in other life areas.
  • This personal upheaval led her to explore happiness beyond career success, focusing on social connections and fulfillment.
INSIGHT

Happiness vs. Meaning Defined

  • Happiness consists mainly of pleasure, while meaning involves fulfillment from purpose and achievement.
  • Both are valuable but represent different mental states contributing to a good life.
INSIGHT

The Arrival Fallacy Reality

  • The arrival fallacy shows fulfilling a long-pursued goal often yields only short-lived satisfaction.
  • Life's sacrifices for achievement can feel unjustified when payoff emotions fade quickly.
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