The Declaration of Independence states that our inalienable rights include “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Life and liberty are easy to understand, but that last phrase is less intuitive. How can people have a right to strive for happiness?
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Uniting to Fight Poverty: A TED Talk
How do we solve problems like poverty with so much political polarization?
Welcome to the Pursuit
To pursue our happiness, to achieve our liberty, and indeed to find fulfillment in our lives, we must start with a moral consensus, a fundamental truth around which we all revolve. Think of an atom. The outer field of electrons is full of chaotic activity. Electrons are rapidly orbiting and moving in a constant buzz. What contains that chaos and gives it structure? The fact that the whole chaotic cloud orbits one central nucleus.
What we really measure when we measure happiness
We love it when Big Data tell us what makes people happy. But do we even have a clue what we’re measuring?
read moreHow social science can make you a significantly happier commuter
It’s the early morning on a workday. A spontaneous social connection is the last thing on your mind. Here’s why you need to think again.
read moreNC woman sets sights on delivering happiness
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (AP) — Beatrice Biggs Parker makes wishes come true, but she’s no fairy godmother. She’s just an ordinary woman doing extraordinary things to help bring a moment of happiness into the lives of people she said God puts in her path — people...
read morePeople think experiences bring happiness, still opt for things
You might assume that a new purse, painting or pair of shoes will bring happiness. Although you’d probably get a bigger kick out of attending a play or spending a week in Paris. But people still mostly opt for items over experiences—because the value of items is more...
read moreUnemployment benefits barely soften the blow of joblessness
Washington loves to fight over unemployment insurance. Too bad that policy doesn’t even begin to address what’s most important.
read moreSummer school? Teens trade classes for factory jobs
CARROLLTON, Ga.—Breonna Daniel, a onetime high-school dropout, was smoking pot and “hanging out with the wrong crowd” last year without a hint of concern for her future. This summer, she is among hundreds of teens working on Southwire Co.’s factory...
read moreOn the road to happiness, a pleasant surprise beats a sure thing
Do you remember the last time you were dreading something, only to have it turn out to be a pleasant surprise? Maybe it was a bad summer blockbuster you were forced to watch, or a blind date set up by your parents. You turn up, grumbling and prepared to hate every...
read moreThis is the equation for happiness
Researchers at University College London were able to create an equation that could accurately predict the happiness of over 18,000 people, according to a new study. First, the researchers had 26 participants complete decisionmaking tasks in which their choices either...
read moreThis popular anti-poverty policy might not make much difference
A new study suggests that providing housing to poor families hardly changed their children’s lives at all. What does that mean for policy?
read moreIn latest interview, Pope Francis reveals top 10 secrets to happiness
VATICAN CITY — Slowing down, being generous and fighting for peace are part of Pope Francis’ secret recipe for happiness. In an interview published in part in the Argentine weekly “Viva” July 27, the pope listed his Top 10 tips for bringing...
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