#226 ‒ The science of happiness | Arthur Brooks, Ph.D.
Oct 10, 2022
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Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor, social scientist, and Atlantic columnist, dives into the science of happiness, discussing its three key components: enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose. He emphasizes how intelligence evolves with age and the importance of virtuous relationships for happiness. Arthur warns against the dangers of social comparison and the pursuit of worldly idols like money and fame. With insights from his unique journey from music to academia, he offers practical exercises to cultivate deeper connections and overcome fears, ultimately guiding toward a fulfilling life.
Happiness is composed of three main components: enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose.
Building and nurturing genuine friendships is crucial for cultivating long-lasting and meaningful relationships.
Managing wants plays a significant role in satisfaction and happiness, focusing on personal achievements and progress instead of constantly seeking external validation.
Shifting focus towards sculpting a meaningful life rather than accumulating more can lead to a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
Deep dives
The Components of Happiness: Enjoyment, Satisfaction, and Purpose
Happiness is composed of three main components: enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose. Enjoyment refers to the elevated pleasure that comes from experiences like Thanksgiving dinner or engaging in hobbies. Satisfaction is the reward and elation from achieving goals or completing tasks. Purpose is the meaning and direction found in life, embracing a bigger picture beyond oneself. These three components work together to create a fulfilling and happy life.
Developing and Maintaining Friendships
Building and nurturing friendships is a crucial aspect of happiness. While men tend to struggle more with developing close friendships, it is a skill that can be learned and practiced. Genuine friendships go beyond transactional relationships and admiration-based connections, focusing on mutual satisfaction and sharing common interests. Solitude, not loneliness, is also important, providing ample personal space and reflection. For men, prioritizing developing real friendships is essential for cultivating long-lasting and meaningful relationships.
The Fleeting Nature of Satisfaction
Satisfaction, as a component of happiness, is often temporary. It can be influenced by dopamine response (anticipation of reward), which drives us to pursue new goals. However, satisfaction is subject to homeostasis, returning us to our baseline level after achieving a goal. This is important for adaptability and being ready for new circumstances. While it is natural to strive for satisfaction, managing one's wants instead of focusing on increasing haves can lead to a healthier perspective and overall happiness.
Navigating Wants and Comparison
Managing wants plays a significant role in satisfaction and happiness. Want management involves considering intrinsic needs rather than constant comparison with others. It is essential to focus on personal achievements and progress instead of constantly seeking external validation. Comparison can lead to a never-ending cycle of chasing more achievements, while true satisfaction comes from self-fulfillment and personal growth.
The Importance of Intrinsic Satisfaction vs. Social Comparison
The podcast episode explores the distinction between intrinsic satisfaction and social comparison. While some pursuits, like personal achievements and hobbies, can bring satisfaction without comparison to others, many aspects of life, such as income and professional success, are heavily influenced by social comparison. The danger lies in constantly comparing oneself to others, leading to a never-ending pursuit of validation and a sense of inadequacy. The speaker emphasizes the need to untangle these two types of satisfaction and prioritize intrinsic enjoyment from meaningful pursuits.
Finding Fulfillment Through Wants Management
The podcast delves into the concept of wants management as a pathway to true fulfillment. Wants management involves recognizing and prioritizing the deep wants that contribute to happiness, such as nurturing relationships and personal growth, while reducing attachment to superficial and materialistic desires. By shifting the focus towards sculpting a meaningful life rather than accumulating more, one can experience a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. The key lies in chipping away at unnecessary wants and embracing a more minimalistic approach to life.
Confronting Fear of Mortality and Failure
The podcast delves into the mortality paradox and the fear of not existing. It highlights our innate desire for permanence and recognition, which can lead to fears of failure, cognitive decline, or simply being forgotten. The speaker suggests a therapeutic method of exposure to these fears through reflection and contemplation, effectively desensitizing oneself to the inevitable truth of mortality. By facing these fears and reinforcing the impermanence of worldly achievements, one can find greater freedom and live a more contented life.
Embracing the Ashramas of Life
The podcast discusses the concept of ashramas, which are quarters of a well-balanced and fulfilling life. It mentions the first phase of learning and absorbing, the second phase of worldly pursuits, the third phase of transitioning into a more purpose-driven and other-focused existence, and the fourth phase of spiritual enlightenment and deep self-discovery. While these ashramas are traditionally delineated by age, the speaker emphasizes that they are more about transitions of focus and mindset at various stages of life. Embracing these transitions can lead to a more fulfilling and harmonious life journey.
Arthur Brooks is a social scientist, professor at Harvard University, a columnist for The Atlantic, and the bestselling author of From Strength to Strength. In this episode, Arthur explains how intelligence changes as we get older, and how to take advantage of this to maximize our happiness and success. He distills truths about the meaning of happiness and its three main components: enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose. He goes into detail about many of the keys to a happy life, including the importance of cultivating virtuous relationships. On the flip side, Arthur warns of the dangers of social comparison, “success addition,” and the four worldly idols—money, fame, power, and pleasure—that drive many of us. Additionally, Arthur provides examples of exercises that can guide one in the right direction, overcome fear, and cultivate habits that can lead to a happier life.
We discuss:
Insights from Arthur’s career as a professional French horn player [2:15];
A radical shift away from music to a Ph.D. in quantitative policy [12:00];
Personal experience with shifting intelligence: fluid vs. crystallized intelligence [16:45];
An epiphany from a chance encounter on an airplane that shaped Arthur’s thinking [22:00];
The three main “macronutrients” of happiness [25:00];
Exploring the “purpose” component of happiness [29:00];
The importance of having a partner and true friendships [32:00];
The makeup of a true friendship, and why men tend to struggle with making real friends [36:45];
The “satisfaction” component of happiness and the importance of “wants management” [42:15];
The tyranny of social comparison [47:45];
Insights into happiness through Chinese art, and the concept of a “reverse bucket list” [51:45];
An exercise demonstrating the importance of relationships with others and the need to work on them [55:30];
The four main idols that drive us: money, fame, power, and pleasure [1:01:15];
Success addiction, workaholism, and their detriment to happiness [1:04:00];
A radical approach to overcome fear—the antithesis to love and happiness [1:14:00];
Ancient Hindu advice for the perfect life [1:26:30];
The end result of getting caught in the 4 idols [1:31:45];
