What if we’ve been looking for happiness in all the wrong places?
Big Think staff writer and author of the Mini Philosophy Substack page, Jonny Thomson, takes us on a journey through centuries of wisdom to uncover what it truly means to live a good life. Drawing on ideas from Aristotle, Daoism, Buddhism, and beyond, Jonny reveals three timeless “pillars” of happiness that challenge our modern assumptions. It’s thoughtful, surprising, and might just change the way you think about what it means to be happy.
Timestamps:
00:00 Why has the study of happiness become your focus?
02:30 Why is happiness elusive?
05:09 What are the 3 pillars of happiness?
13:15 How can we apply the 3 pillars of happiness to our lives?
16:08 What is true love?
19:08 Is there right and wrong?
20:45 How does someone become evil?
23:26 Why does money matter in our society?
25:23 How is philosophy applicable to each of us?
Get more from Big Think:
Mini Philosophy | Starts with a Bang | Big Think Books
Share this post