Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life Podcast

The Saad Truth about Happiness

Oct 17, 2024

01:05:44

Snipd AI

Dr. Gad Saad is a Professor of Marketing and an influential figure in evolutionary psychology. In a thought-provoking discussion, he defines happiness and challenges modern misconceptions about it. Saad critiques consumerism and celebrity culture as sources of discontent. He emphasizes emotional resilience's role in happiness and shares secrets to achieving a fulfilling life. The conversation also touches on the impact of woke culture, the complexities of anger in young men, and the importance of meaningful relationships over materialism.

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Quick takeaways

True happiness is rooted in meaningful relationships and emotional resilience, rather than in fleeting pleasures or material possessions.

Surrounding oneself with truly supportive individuals enhances overall health and satisfaction, emphasizing quality over quantity in friendships.

Engaging in meaningful experiences rather than consumerism fosters a richer life, aligning with the idea that memories contribute more to happiness than wealth.

Deep dives

The Nature of Happiness

Happiness is often misunderstood, as highlighted by Seneca's observation that many desire happiness without truly understanding its essence. The discussion emphasizes that real happiness is derived from meaningful relationships rather than fleeting pleasures. A poignant example from a longitudinal Harvard study indicates that the quality of social connections in one's 50s significantly predicts long-term well-being. This highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive and kind individuals to foster emotional resilience and overall health.

Intro

2min

Exploring Happiness Through Stoicism and Connection

10min

The Pursuit of Happiness: A Philosophical Exploration

19min

Philosophy in Motion: Socratic Dialogue and Academic Freedom

2min

Resilience, Rejection, and Relationships

10min

The Parasitic Nature of Ideology

6min

Anger, Philosophy, and Modern Masculinity

17min

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Gad Saad. (Apologies for the room reverb on my mic!) Dr. Saad is a well-known public intellectual, champion of free speech, and renowned evolutionary psychologist. He is Professor of Marketing at the John Molson School of Business, at Concordia University, in Montreal, and has recently also been appointed Visiting Professor and Global Ambassador at Northwood University. Gad has a popular YouTube channel, and a podcast called The Saad Truth, and he’s the author of several best-selling books; the latest one is titled The Saad Truth about Happiness: 8 Secrets for Leading the Good Life. Yesterday was the four-year anniversary of the release of his most widely-known book The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense. Gad is currently working on his next book Suicidal Empathy.

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Highlights

* What is happiness? Are some people confused about what it means to be happy?

* What makes us so unhappy today?

* Do consumerism and celebrity culture make us unhappy? .

* The relationship between emotional resilience and happiness

* Secrets to living a happy life

* What problems are caused by woke culture and political correctness?

* For and against anger

Links

* Gad Saad’s Personal Website

* Gad Saad’s Twitter

* Psychology Today Blog