In our conversation with Nick Epley, we discover how little we know ourselves, how much less we know other people, and yet how incredibly good we think we are at both. We learn about the power of context in shaping our feelings, the importance of reciprocity, the magic of gratitude, and how all of these play a role in  “designing a good life.”  

Nick Epley is a Professor of Behavior Science and Director of the Center for Decision Research at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He teaches an ethics and happiness course to MBA students called “Designing a Good Life” and he studies social cognition to understand why smart people so routinely misunderstand each other.