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
Obvious Adams
The Airbnb Story
Leadership
The Mythical Man-Month
Diaminds
The War for Kindness
Changing Minds
Children of Dune
The Intel Trinity
What Do You Care What Other People Think?
Future Forward
Principles for Dealing With The Changing World Order
Failure Is Not An Option
The Cancer Code
Rich Woman
Consider Phlebas
Brave New Medicine
The Art of People
Dictionary of Untranslatables
Abundance
Karl Marx's Theory of History
Fooled By Randomness
Carry on, Jeeves
American Lion
The Sixth Man
The Real Crash
The Bitcoin Standard
On Writing
The First Conspiracy
Wanting
Keeping At It
Harry Potter
The Hunt for Red October
Nourishing Traditions
The Evolution of Cooperation
God's Debris
Made to Stick
The Story of Civilization
Bitcoin is Venice
The Promise of a Pencil
In Praise of Shadows
Lives of the Eminent Philosophers
Beyond Good and Evil
Sit Like a Buddha
The (Mis)Behavior of Markets
The Perfect Bet
To Kill a Mockingbird
Bird by Bird
The World Crisis
The Hobbit
Factfulness
Indigenous Continent
The Gift
The River War
Burn
Getting Things Done
Moorish Spain
Rational Decisions
Living With A SEAL
I Am Not a Tractor
The Art of War
How Asia Works
The Knowledge
Hug Your Haters
Complexity
The Path to Love
Drive
Elon Musk
Merchants of Doubt
Vitamania
Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953
My Years with General Motors
Resistance (At All Costs)
The Snow Leopard
Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)
Dealing with Darwin
The Great War of Our Time
In Pursuit of Happiness and Good Government
Lifespan
Numbers Don't Lie
The Golden Trade of the Moors
Revolution
Startup Playbook
Scotland
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Napoleon
Creation
The Unwritten
Alice in Wonderland
The Fiat Standard
Lean In
ANSI Common Lisp
How Innovation Works
Law, Legislation, and Liberty
Give and Take
Now, Discover Your Strengths
The Spy and The Traitor
Body by Science
Intellectuals and Race
The Rosie Effect
Plowman's Folly