In this fascinating and often hilarious work, pre-eminent psychologist Daniel Gilbert shows how - and why - the majority of us have no idea how to make ourselves happy. We all want to be happy, but do we know how? When it comes to improving tomorrow at the expense of today, we're terrible at predicting how to please our future selves. 'What would you do right now if you learned that you were going to die in ten minutes? Would you race upstairs and light that Marlboro you've been hiding in your sock drawer? Would you waltz ...
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In this fascinating and often hilarious work, pre-eminent psychologist Daniel Gilbert shows how - and why - the majority of us have no idea how to make ourselves happy. We all want to be happy, but do we know how? When it comes to improving tomorrow at the expense of today, we're terrible at predicting how to please our future selves. 'What would you do right now if you learned that you were going to die in ten minutes? Would you race upstairs and light that Marlboro you've been hiding in your sock drawer? Would you waltz into your boss's office and present him with a detailed description of his personal defects? Hard to say of course, but of all the things you might do in your final ten minutes, it's a pretty safe bet that few of them are things you actually did today.' As humans in search of happiness, we are continually deferring present pleasure for future gain - but, in cosseting our future selves, we regularly come up against the limitations of foresight and an inbuilt tendency to misjudge what it is we truly want. In this delightful romp through the interrelated fields of psychology, philosophy and the psychological equivalent of music-hall illusionism, Daniel Gilbert draws on examples that play with the reader's perception, combining lively fresh analysis, fascinating research and considerable wit to illustrate how our fundamental drive to satisfy our desires is not only often misguided, but also intrinsically linked to the most long-standing and contentious questions about human nature. At once whimsical and scholarly, 'Stumbling on Happiness' is an engaging and engrossing look at what it means to be a human being on a perennial quest for happiness.
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Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. Book contains pencil markings. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 650grams, ISBN: 9780007183128.
Interesting ideas on happiness and the human brain. How our thoughts and expectations impact on how we feel. We judge the future based on the present but that is not a good idea and we have no idea how we may feel in the future.
Easy to read.
ColinAMeredith
Jul 19, 2007
Awesome
This book was the best I've read in many months! It was so full of interesting ideas that I have already read it twice, and will probably pick it up in a few months from now to read again!