Happy Mind: The Philosophy and Science of Happiness

Image © Eldan.

 

 

Until recently psychology used to have much to say on mental illness, but little about what makes us happy. For the last half century the darker aspects of our mental lives – depression, neurosis, obsessions and paranoia – have been extensively studied, while the positive emotions were largely ignored by science. But thanks to people like American psychologist and writer Martin Seligman, positive emotions are now hot topics in academic circles. Even politicians are taking notice. “Happy politics has arrived,” argues BBC home editor Mark Easton, who believes that politicians are increasingly trying to make us happier, not just richer.