In this episode, I discuss my thoughts on happiness and why we should drop our obsession with it. I cover: why you should be careful who you admire and listen to, how well we are placed to make rational judgments in our life, the different types of happiness, hedonic adaption, Natural vs Synthetic Happiness, whether we want to be happy all the time, the illusion of control of our minds and life, perfectionism, self-esteem, Stoic and Buddhist views on happiness and what to do when sadness eventually strikes. 

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Further reading

The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris

The Sweet Spot by Paul Bloom

Selfie By Will Storr

Why Buddhism Is True by Robert Wright

Letters From A Stoic by Seneca

Stumbling On Happiness by Daniel Gilbert

Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman

A Little History of Philosophy by Nigel Warburton

The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathon Haidt

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse (Novel set around the time of the Buddha, highlights the troubles of a life dedicated to extremes of spirituality/debauchery)

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