SXSW 2025
The Pursuit of Happiness in Ordinary Life
Description:
“What is happiness, and how can one work to achieve it in ordinary life?”- This is the question that our panelists, Dr. Ryan Streeter and Prof. Arthur Brooks, will seek to answer in their discussion. Contrary to the common opinion that happiness is a mere feeling, Brooks has argued in recent publications that happiness is a combination of enjoyment, purpose, and satisfaction, drawing from various sources in social science literature. After discussing these elements of happiness, our panelists will discuss ordinary practices that increase happiness such as meditation and service to others.
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Takeaways
- Happiness consists in enjoyment, purpose, and satisfaction; it’s not a feeling.
- Happiness can be cultivated daily by deeper involvement in faith, family, "useless" friends, and work as service.
- Happiness is summarized as love.
Speakers
- Ryan Streeter, Executive Director, The Civitas Institute at The University of Texas at Austin
- Arthur Brooks, Professor, Harvard University
Organizer
William Springer, Senior Administrative Associate, The Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin
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