The Happiness Hypothesis: Putting Ancient Wisdom to the Test of Modern Science Paperback – 5 April 2007

The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt is an outstanding book on happiness as also on meaning and purpose in life.It is uplifting as well as empowering . Haidt stayed for some time in Bhubaneshwar,Orissa in India to study Hindu religion and has drawn some material from this study. He has also sourced material from Buddha ,Jesus,Benjamin Franklin and Shakespeare. He has successfully interpreted this knowledge in the context of modern science and psychology. It is not an ordinary self-help or motivational book but a book based on extensive studies and research to help the reader arrive at his own conclusions about way forward.The book talks about love, virtue,reciprocity and relationships,wisdom, religion,divinity, God , meaning and purpose of life while developing the happiness hypothesis.Happiness comes from within and happiness comes from without.Every one should read this amazing book . It is a perfect book for giving as a precious gift .

Some great incites into how we think and feel the way we do. Well worth a read for anyone interested in understanding themselves or others around them.

I took a class with Prof. Haidt when I attended UVA and consistently enjoyed his lectures. He consistently backed up his claims with hard evidence, anecdotes and statistics. Once Prof. Haidt explained how the logic I had been using to try and understand conservative thinking, for example, was inaccurate it became instantly clear why conservatives act as they do, and why they think doing so is in everyone's interest. He removes the emotional, the judgmental aspects and leaves only the fundamental properties, allowing his students to come to their own conclusions. Prof. Haidt's book was much like his lectures, in fact he even mentions that the book was directly influenced by his lectures. All in all this is probably the best self-help book I've ever read. It's not structured like a self-help book, nor does it claim to be one, but since it is about basic human behavior, and often about the behavior that is present in successful, happy people, it's hard not to use it as a tool. The writing is clear, the chapters cohesive, and the progression throughout the book towards some fundamental answers is pleasing. I highly recommend this book if you are curious about human beings.

The book arrived early and the condition of the book was good.. It could havebeen better but still it was good.

Highly interesting thoughts - sometimes a bit theorethical but overall a pleasure to read!