Superhabits and Happiness

Superhabits #9 (#1 is here)

While I was at Arthur Brooks' Harvard Leadership and Happiness Symposium last week, one of the speakers argued that there was no real link between virtue and happiness. A big part of his argument was based on the differing definitions of happiness, and he cited this recent study to that effect. His conclusion, if true, would undermine the entire superhabits project. I do think its false. Yesterday I shared several individual studies that certainly suggest that his claim is false. But is there more that can be said?

In the same Symposium last week, Dr. Martin Seligman, the grandfather of the field of Positive Psychology, showed a beta-version of an AI chatbot that had been trained on Dr. Seligman's entire life's work, called "Ask Martin," and said that so far he'd found its output to be quite accurate.

So I tried it. I asked it the following, using "character strengths," Positive Psychology's term for what I'm calling superhabits:

Could you summarize the research on the causal relationships between growth in character strengths and happiness (however measured), and say how confident you are in this causal relationship overall?

Here's the AI-generated answer (I showed it to Dr. Seligman before posting it here, so it is posted with his permission):

"As I reflect on the research concerning the relationship between character strengths and happiness, it's important to recognize the robust findings that have emerged over the years. My colleagues and I have been deeply involved in the study of character strengths through the development of the Values in Action (VIA) Classification and the VIA Inventory of Strengths, which have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of how character strengths relate to various aspects of well-being, including happiness. The empirical evidence suggests a strong connection between the cultivation of character strengths and increased happiness. For instance, studies have consistently shown that certain strengths, such as hope, zest, gratitude, love, and curiosity, are closely linked to life satisfaction. These findings are not just correlational; there is growing evidence to suggest that these strengths can play a causal role in enhancing happiness. In my own work, I have seen how interventions designed to build character strengths can lead to improvements in well-being. For example, positive psychology interventions that encourage individuals to identify and use their signature strengths in new ways have been shown to increase happiness and decrease depressive symptoms over time. These interventions are grounded in the idea that using one's strengths leads to greater engagement and fulfillment, which in turn contributes to happiness. I am confident in the causal relationship between character strengths and happiness, not only because of the consistency of the findings across different studies and populations but also because of the theoretical underpinnings that support this link. The PERMA model, which I developed, outlines five key elements of well-being: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Character strengths are integral to each of these elements and thus to the overall experience of well-being. However, it is also important to acknowledge that the relationship between character strengths and happiness can be complex and influenced by various factors, including cultural context and individual differences. While the research is promising, we continue to explore the nuances of how character strengths contribute to happiness and how we can best harness them to promote flourishing in individuals and communities. In summary, the body of research on character strengths and happiness is substantial and growing. It supports the notion that developing and applying character strengths can lead to greater happiness. As we continue to study and apply these concepts, we aim to refine our understanding and enhance the well-being of people around the world

Impressive stuff!

Having established the link between virtues and happiness, I'd now like to move to the questions of how many superhabits there are, how are they related to each other, and how you go about deciding which one would have the biggest impact on your life right now.

I found the answers to all three questions in the work of a 13th century philosopher-monk.

On Monday.