Stumbling on Happiness

Daniel Gilbert

Recommended By

Book Synopsis

In "Stumbling on Happiness," Daniel Gilbert offers a fascinating exploration of the human pursuit of happiness. He challenges common assumptions and beliefs about what truly makes us happy, drawing from extensive research and psychological studies.

Gilbert delves into the concept of imagination and how it often leads us astray when it comes to predicting our future happiness. He argues that our minds are routinely flawed in imagining the future, often underestimating our resilience and ability to adapt to different circumstances.

The author also examines our tendency to focus on material possessions and achievements as sources of happiness, only to find that they offer only temporary satisfaction. Gilbert suggests that we should instead invest in experiences and relationships, as they have a far greater impact on our happiness in the long run.

Furthermore, Gilbert explores the idea of our "psychological immune system," a mechanism that helps us rationalize and find happiness even in difficult situations. He discusses how our ability to create stories and find meaning allows us to cope and move forward.

With wit and engaging storytelling, Gilbert guides readers through the complexities of human happiness. He challenges our assumptions and sheds light on the often unpredictable nature of what truly brings us joy. "Stumbling on Happiness" offers a thought-provoking and enlightening journey, encouraging readers to question their own notions of happiness and discover new ways to find fulfillment in life.

Explore More Books

See All
Deep Simplicity
The Storm of Steel
Fundamentals of Plasma Physics
The Power of Now
Political Tribes
Tools and Weapons
Lean In
Security Analysis
The Creative Society
The Coming Wave
Competing Against Time
Napoleon
Portraits of Interiors
How Buildings Learn
The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
English Culture and the Decline of the Industrial Spirit, 1850-1980
Hiroshima
The Enchiridion
Hagakure
Our Final Invention
Defend The Border and Save Lives
The Letters of William Godwin
Illusions
Where Is My Flying Car?
The Spiritual Brain
Kindly Inquisitors
The Power of Glamour
Between The World And Me
In Patagonia
A Splendid Exchange
Follow The Money
The Fever
The Invention of Air
The Fifteen Decisive Battles of the World
Don't Make Me Think
The Diversity Bonus
The Seventh Sense
Against The Gods
Anthropic Bias
The Soul of the World
Shaping the Future of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Les Miserables
A History of Western Technology
Saving Capitalism from Short Termism
I Seem To Be A Verb
The Essential Writings
How to Teach Your Baby Math
Technically Food
My Family and Other Animals
Dataclysm
Powers of Two
Empire
The Book of Nothing
Grass Productivity
Out of Mao's Shadow
Amazon Unbound
Democracy In America
Blood and Thunder
Second Foundation
Mandela's Way
Thinking Physics
Take On The Street
Be the Person You Want to Find
Humans Need Not Apply
The Unquiet Grave
The Ride of a Lifetime
When Money Dies
Troubled
Best Evidence
How to Dress an Egg
The Social Photo
The Light Of Other Days
The Jungle
Eisenhower in War and Peace
The Economics of Microfinance
The Road to Character
Founding Brothers
Free The Animal
In FED We Trust
Rise of the Machines
Over the Edge of the World
The City In History
Democracy: The God That Failed
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Facing Codependence
Stalin's War
We Are The Nerds
Work Rules!
Inside The House of Money
Blitzscaling
The River War
Tuxedo Park
The Silk Roads
A Higher Loyalty
The Advantage
Total Freedom
Hornblower Saga
Code
The Master and Margarita
Survival to Thrival