The Happiness Hypothesis

The wisdom of thinkers such as Plato, Buddha and Jesus is tested against modern psychology in Jonathan Haidt's book, which distills it into ten great ideas, one per chapter. Haidt, a social psychologist, pictures the mind as a rider on an elephant: the conscious self tries to steer automatic processes it cannot control by force, which explains weakness of will. Other chapters weigh meditation, cognitive therapy and Prozac as ways to change automatic reactions, examine reciprocity and the Golden Rule, and ask whether adversity is needed for happiness. Haidt suggests the truth may lie between inner and outer sources of happiness, and later ties a happy life to right relationships with others, with work, and between work and something larger.

Mark Manson described it as a happy union of ancient philosophy and modern psychology, noting that old ideas about happiness, success and virtue often hold up scientifically. HubSpot marketer Irina Nica suggested it for understanding how progress connects to feeling happy.