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

The 2 biggest misconceptions about happiness, with Tal Ben-Shahar
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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.

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Read the video transcript: https://bigthink.com/series/devils-advocate/happiness-study

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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.

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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/

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