People think that the study of happiness is superficial. That is because they think happiness means pleasure. You may enjoy ice cream, but that's not happiness. That is pleasure. Happiness is more than pleasure. It includes our ability to deal with painful experiences, find a sense of purpose, cultivate healthy relationships and intellectual development.

Happiness is not the same as pleasure

A happy life can never be without painful emotions. Part of a happy life includes life's ups and downs.  Hardship is inevitable. However, we have a choice in what we do with our hardships. When we suffer hardship, the signs of happiness can increase our psychological immune system. We can grow stronger as a result of hardship.

A happy life is not void of painful emotions

The 2 biggest misconceptions about happiness, with Tal Ben-Shahar Subscribe to Big Think on YouTube ►► https://www.youtube.com/c/bigthink Up next ►► Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile https://youtu.be/e-or_D-qNqM We study medicine, psychology, history, and geography but not happiness. This makes no sense, if happiness is one of life’s most important goals. Many people believe that happiness is superficial — the absence of pain and the pursuit of pleasure. But a happy life is not necessarily devoid of pain. Tal Ben-Shahar, Harvard's "happiness professor," says that the science of happiness can introduce us to new ways of thinking that will lead to contentment. To learn even more from the world's biggest thinkers, get Big Think+ for your business: https://bigthink.com/plus/ Read the video transcript: https://bigthink.com/series/devils-advocate/happiness-study ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Tal Ben-Shahar: Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar is an internationally renowned teacher and author in the fields of happiness and leadership. After graduating from Harvard with a BA in Philosophy and Psychology and a PhD in Organizational Behavior, Tal taught two of the most popular courses in Harvard’s history: Positive Psychology and The Psychology of Leadership. He then taught Happiness Studies at Columbia University. A prolific writer, Tal's books have appeared on best-sellers lists around the world and have been translated into more than 30 languages. Tal Ben-Shahar consults and lectures to executives in multinational corporations, educational institutions, and the general public. Topics include leadership, education, ethics, happiness, self-esteem, resilience, goal setting and mindfulness. Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar is also the co-founder of the Happiness Studies Academy. Learn more here: https://www.happinessstudies.academy/ Tal is an avid sportsman and a certified yoga instructor whose work bridges Eastern and Western traditions, ancient wisdom and modern technology, science and art. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Read more of our stories on the study of emotions: Feeling bad about feeling bad? Embrace negative emotions instead, study says ►►https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/dont-feel-bad-about-feeling-bad-study-says/ Emotions pass along a friendship network like a contagion, study finds ►►https://bigthink.com/surprising-science/emotions-pass-along-a-friendship-network-like-a-contagion-study-finds/ Scientists chart 27 distinct human emotions on this interactive map ►►https://bigthink.com/neuropsych/27-distinct-human-emotions-have-been-identified-and-mapped-in-a-starling-way/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Big Think | Smarter Faster™ ► Big Think The leading source of expert-driven, educational content. With thousands of videos, featuring experts ranging from Bill Clinton to Bill Nye, Big Think helps you get smarter, faster by exploring the big ideas and core skills that define knowledge in the 21st century. ► Big Think+ Make your business smarter, faster: https://bigthink.com/plus/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Want more Big Think? ► Daily editorial features: https://bigthink.com/popular/ ► Get the best of Big Think right to your inbox: https://bigthink.com/st/newsletter ► Facebook: https://bigth.ink/facebook ► Instagram: https://bigth.ink/Instagram ► Twitter: https://bigth.ink/twitter

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2 critical misconceptions about happiness | Tal Ben-Shahar | Big Think

Happiness is not the same as pleasure

A happy life is not void of painful emotions

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2 critical misconceptions about happiness | Tal Ben-Shahar | Big Think

Happiness is not the same as pleasure

A happy life is not void of painful emotions

IDEAS ABOUT

MORE LIKE THIS

Don’t chase happiness. Become antifragile | Tal Ben-Shahar | Big Think

4 ways to hack your memory

Why a meaningful mission is key for a successful startup | Austen Allred

It's time to

READ

LIKE

A PRO!

Bite-sized knowledge
to upgrade
your career