Flourish

A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being

by Martin Seligman

Number of pages: 368

Publisher: Atria Books

BBB Library: Psychology and Strengths, Personal Success

ISBN: 9781439190760



About the Author

Seligman, the Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, works on learned helplessness, optimism, positive psychology, and fitness. His previous books include: "Authentic Happiness" and "Learned Optimism."

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Editorial Review

Flourish builds on Dr. Seligman’s game-changing work on optimism, motivation, and character to show how to get the most out of life, unveiling an electrifying new theory of what makes a good life—for individuals, for communities, and for nations. In a fascinating evolution of thought and practice, Flourish refines what Positive Psychology is all about. While certainly a part of well-being, happiness alone doesn’t give life meaning. 

Book Reviews

"The book is full of fascinating detail of how this extraordinary venture is developing, including a good deal of autobiography which can be skipped if you don't like that stuff." The Guardian

"Flourishis also replete with stories that are at times illuminating and compelling, and occasionally maddeningly digressing. To be sure, the book reveals a great deal about Seligman the scholar, the educator, and thecharismaticand inspiring leader, as well as casting light on his passions and pet peeves." Psychology Today

"Flourishis definitely not a self-help book, though it does offer insightful techniques to optimize yourself, your relationships and your business for well-being." Brain Pickings

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Wisdom to Share

Social connectedness has dropped with declining levels of trust in other people and in governmental institutions, and trust is a major predictor of well-being.

Social connectedness has dropped with declining levels of trust in other people and in governmental institutions, and trust is a major predictor of well-being.

It is important to remember that well-being is not the only thing we value as human beings.

Social connectedness has dropped with declining levels of trust in other people and in governmental institutions, and trust is a major predictor of well-being.

Well-being is a construct; and well-being, not happiness, is the topic of positive psychology.

Human beings want meaning and purpose in life.

The theory of Authentic Happiness is that happiness could be analyzed into three different elements that we choose for their own sakes: positive emotion, engagement, and meaning.

The first step in positive psychology is to dissolve the monism of “happiness” into more workable terms.

Aristotle thought that all human action was to achieve happiness. Nietzsche thought that all human action was to get power, while Freud thought that all human action was to avoid anxiety.