Georgetown Peabody Library

Flourish, a visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being, Martin E.P. Seligman

eng

Includes bibliographical references and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Flourish

bibliography

617550838

Martin E.P. Seligman

a visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being

In this book the author presents his concept of what well-being really is and explains the four pillars of well-being (meaning and purpose, positive emotions, relationships, and accomplishment), placing emphasis on meaning and purpose as the most important for achieving a life of fulfillment. Traditionally, the goal of psychology has been to relieve human suffering, but the goal of the Positive Psychology movement, which the author has led for fifteen years, is different. It is about actually raising the bar for the human condition. It builds on the doctor's work on optimism, motivation, and character to show how to get the most out of life, unveiling a new theory of what makes a good life for individuals, for communities, and for nations. In an evolution of thought and practice, it refines what Positive Psychology is all about. While certainly a part of well-being, happiness alone doesn't give life meaning. The author now asks, What is it that enables you to cultivate your talents, to build deep, lasting relationships with others, to feel pleasure, and to contribute meaningfully to the world? In a word, what is it that allows you to flourish? "Well-being" takes the stage front and center, and Happiness (or Positive Emotion) becomes one of the five pillars of Positive Psychology, along with Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment, or PERMA, the permanent building blocks for a life of profound fulfillment. Thought-provoking in its implications for education, economics, therapy, medicine, and public policy (the very fabric of society), the book tells inspiring stories of Positive Psychology in action, including how the entire U.S. Army is now trained in emotional resilience; how innovative schools can educate for fulfillment in life and not just for workplace success; and how corporations can improve performance at the same time as they raise employee well-being. With interactive exercises to help readers explore their own attitudes and aims, this book is a watershed in the understanding of happiness as well as a tool for getting the most out of life

A New Positive Psychology. What is well-being? ; Creating your happiness: positive psychology exercises that work ; The dirty little secret of drugs and therapy ; Teaching well-being: the magic of MAPP ; Positive education: teaching well-being to young people. -- The Ways to Flourish. GRIT, character, and achievement: a new theory of intelligence ; Army strong: comprehensive soldier fitness ; Turning trauma into growth ; Positive physical health: the biology of optimism ; The politics and economics of well-being -- Signature strengths test