What makes people flourish?

For millennia, philosophers and other thinkers in many different cultures have pondered what it means to live a good life. While different cultures past and present have different takes on it, they do agree that it is about more than just indulging in pleasures.

The ancient Greeks called it eudaimonia, which is usually translated as "well-being". Different philosophical schools, like the Stoics and the Epicureans and the skeptics, had different ideas about how to go about achieving it, but they all agreed that achieving it was something worth pursuing.

In the past few decades, scientists and psychologists have started to look at this question. There are some patterns that we see in the data. What is probably not surprising to anyone is for example that being employed makes you happier than being unemployed and looking for a job, being in good health makes you happier than being in poor health. But further, more money will not make you happier in the long-term (unless you are poor). In addition, having a social circle, a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose in your life are very important for flourishing.

Do people in some countries flourish more than in other countries?
What can individuals change in their own life to flourish more? What can be changed at the societal level to increase flourishing? Join us as we discuss this relevant yet timeless topic on June 14.

Recommended reading:

- The Conversation: What makes people flourish? A new survey of more than 200,000 people across 22 countries looks for global patterns and local differences: https://theconversation.com/what-makes-people-flourish-a-new-survey-of-more-than-200-000-people-across-22-countries-looks-for-global-patterns-and-local-differences-243671

- NeuroLogicaBlog: How People Thrive: https://theness.com/neurologicablog/how-people-thrive/