Nine Suggestions for Increasing Happiness

Nine Suggestions for Increasing HappinessDr. Mark AlfinoDepartment of PhilosophyGonzaga University

2Instead of an opening joke, an opening quote"Ask yourselfwhether you are happy," Samuel Johnson wrote in his 1873 Autobiography, "and you cease to be so.

Happiness: "a good bank account, a good cook, and a good digestion. Rousseau

Happiness is good health and a bad memory.- Ingrid Bergman

Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop.

Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go. - Oscar Wilde

Strategy for the talk.

Suggestions

Themes

ResearchFour Points Happiness is not a Mystery.

1. Happiness is Not a Mystery.Mysteries vs. Puzzles

We have multiple sources of evidence and insight about happiness, from global culture to contemporary science.

Four Points Happiness is not a Mystery.Happiness is Real.

2. Happiness is Real.Happiness is a validated construct of several social sciences.

Results of research on happiness often corroborate ancient thought on and human experience of happiness.

Results of research on happiness lead to practical hypotheses that can be explored through reflection and self-study of daily life.

Four Points Happiness is not a Mystery.Happiness is Real.We know a lot about it.

3. We know a lot about happiness.1. PA / NA --- LS(DS)2. Some major explanatory variables for happiness:Heritable factors Love and RelationshipReligious Participation (or equiv.)Material Sufficiency

113. We know a lot about happiness.1. PA / NA --- LS(DS)2. Some major explanatory variables for happiness:Heritable factors Love and RelationshipReligious Participation (or equiv.)Material SufficiencyControl

Four Points Happiness is not a Mystery.Happiness is Real.We know a lot about it.We know that there are real challenges to increasing happiness.

4. We know that there are real challenges to increasing happiness.Set Point Theory

154. We know that there are real challenges to increasing happiness.Set Point TheoryFragility of ConditionsHappiness and Ice Cream Sandwiches, 1

Happiness and Ice Cream Sandwiches, 2

4. We know that there are real challenges to increasing happiness.Set Point TheoryFragility of ConditionsHuman Cognitive biasThe hard problem of happiness.Nine Suggestions for Increasing Happiness9. Study HappinessStudying happiness raises awareness of features of your experience relevant to your well-being.

Objective and cultural knowledge about happiness challenges our assumptions and personal biases about happiness.General audience

More science-oriented books on happiness

8. Engage in Self-studySelf-observation and self-evaluation provide information and evidence for thinking about your subjective responses to situations.

You may need to make subjective changes in order to become the sort of person who can be happier. Contemporary and Classical Stoicism and Epicureanism

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27Books addressing blind spots and opacity in self-awareness.

Stumbling on HappinessPredictably IrrationalStrangers to Ourselves7. Factor in the Life Span.Life Span Psychology

SOC Theory SelectionOptimizationCompensation

6. Seek FlowFlow

flow

a state of engagement or absorption in tasks that combines high levels of challenge with high levels of skill.31Mihalyi Csiksentmihalyi,Finding FlowFlow

5. Value Relationship4. SavorFred Bryant, Savoring

3. Cultivate Gratitude, Compassion, and HumilityEmmons and McCullough,The Psychology of Gratitude

2. Live toward Death.Death of Socrates, Jacques Louis David, 1787

Quentin Metsijs, Saint Jerome, 1537

Harmen Steenwyck, An Allegory of the Vanities of Human Life, 1640.

1. Seek the Integration of Pleasure and Life Satisfaction. Nine Suggestions for Increasing HappinessSeek the integration of Pleasure and Life Satisfaction.Live toward Death.Cultivate Gratitude, Compassion, and Humility.SavorValue RelationshipSeek FlowFactor in the Life SpanEngage in Self-StudyStudy Happiness

Themes Pursuit of Self-Knowledge Contemplative Practices Pursuit of Knowledge Integration of Pursuits

Development Pleasure Meaningfulness

Themes Pursuit of Self-Knowledge Contemplative Practices Pursuit of Knowledge Integration of Pursuits

Development -- Becoming Pleasure -- Present Meaningfulness -- Symbolic

46Le Reve Du Bonheur, by Constance Mayer-Lamartinier, 1819.

47Matisse, Le Bonheur de Vivre, 1905

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