Jonathan Haidt
Ancient wisdom and modern science reveal that you are not a single rational agent, but a tiny rider struggling to steer a massive, emotional elephant.
Your mind is divided between a conscious, reasoning rider and an automatic, emotional elephant, meaning lasting change requires retraining your impulses rather than relying on willpower.
Your baseline happiness is genetically determined, but you can actively elevate it by optimizing specific external conditions and engaging in voluntary activities that build flow.
Humans quickly adapt to material gains and superficial life changes, but we never fully habituate to hidden stressors like a long commute or the joy of deep interpersonal connections.