Tal Ben-Shahar

Happier

1. IDEA 1

   Happiness combines pleasure and meaning

   Ben-Shahar, who taught a hugely popular course on happiness at Harvard, argues that true happiness requires both pleasure in the present and meaning that serves the future. Neither alone is enough.

2. IDEA 2

   Happiness is the ultimate currency

   Ben-Shahar argues that happiness, not money or prestige, is the ultimate currency of life. Other goals matter because they contribute to happiness. Ben-Shahar argues that it makes sense to judge our choices by whether they lead to a good life.

3. IDEA 3

   Four hamburgers explain choices

   Ben-Shahar uses a hamburger model to describe four approaches to life. A tasty but unhealthy burger represents pleasure now with harm later, while a healthy but tasteless one represents sacrifice now for future benefit.

All 8 ideas from Happier →