I have been doing some research lately into the Aristotelian ethics, so thanks for the additional sources of reading material!

>> ^Ariane:

I agree with what she is saying totally, and the scientists and researchers in "Positive Psychology" would agree. We have been led to believe that having a positive attitude will bring about positive change and there is no data to support that. Its a lie started in American theology called the "prosperity doctrine" and then secularized and adapted by the new agers.
If you want to learn what will really make us happy, start with Dan Gilbert, then move on to Dr Barry Schwartz and Dan Pink, and Carol Ryff. Their seemingly strange conclusions about what makes us really happy are backed up by scientific research. The conclusion that they draw is that the whole "American Dream" is a piece of fiction that will ultimately lead to misery.
What we need is a "meaningful purpose", and we need to work with others on that purpose. Our endeavors do not even have to succeed, as long as our purpose is clearly defined, we are able to see progress, and there is some hope for success, it will lead us to eudaemonia as Aristotle called it or lasting "well-being" and contentment.

>> ^Nebosuke:

Apparently no relation to the book of the same name by Barry Schwartz.
http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005688
Still, an interesting presentation.

Was about the say the same thing.

Apparently no relation to the book of the same name by Barry Schwartz.
http://www.amazon.com/Paradox-Choice-Why-More-Less/dp/0060005688

Still, an interesting presentation.

I agree with what she is saying totally, and the scientists and researchers in "Positive Psychology" would agree. We have been led to believe that having a positive attitude will bring about positive change and there is no data to support that. Its a lie started in American theology called the "prosperity doctrine" and then secularized and adapted by the new agers.

If you want to learn what will really make us happy, start with Dan Gilbert, then move on to Dr Barry Schwartz and Dan Pink, and Carol Ryff. Their seemingly strange conclusions about what makes us really happy are backed up by scientific research. The conclusion that they draw is that the whole "American Dream" is a piece of fiction that will ultimately lead to misery.

What we need is a "meaningful purpose", and we need to work with others on that purpose. Our endeavors do not even have to succeed, as long as our purpose is clearly defined, we are able to see progress, and there is some hope for success, it will lead us to eudaemonia as Aristotle called it or lasting "well-being" and contentment.

>> ^mauz15:
>> ^cybrbeast:
....

Could you change the embed for this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA-zdh_bQBo

Done. I didn't know TED had an official YouTube channel. Much better player.

>> ^cybrbeast:
....


Could you change the embed for this one?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA-zdh_bQBo

>> ^MINK:
oh look, this video isn't as popular on the Sift as "man pissing and walking at the same time"

Surely because sifters don't have the right incentives to up-vote insightful videos.

Tags changed from "ted, barry schwartz" to "ted, barry schwartz,paradox of choice" by gold star member winkler1.

Barry Schwartz is an American psychologist and sociology professor at Swarthmore College. He is also the author of 'The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less' and 'The Costs of Living: How Market Freedom Erodes the Best Things in Life'. Disclosure, I uploaded and edited the original talk to get this 9 minute version.

From TED.