Happier: Tal Ben-Shahar and the Question You Can Act On

In Korea, three American courses often turn up together in bookshops: Michael Sandel on justice, Shelly Kagan on death and Tal Ben-Shahar on happiness. Ben-Shahar’s Harvard course drew hundreds of students. I could see the appeal of a class that asked what might make the time you already have a little better.

A Smaller Question About Happiness

It is hard to give a complete definition of happiness that works for everyone. Ben-Shahar suggests making the question smaller. Instead of giving yourself a verdict on whether you are happy, ask what might make you a little happier. The book gives you exercises to try in the days you actually live.

Four Burgers and Four Attitudes

Ben-Shahar imagines four burgers. One is wholesome and unpleasant, good for later at a cost now. One tastes bad and leaves you worse off. A third tastes good at once but costs you later. The fourth is enjoyable and still does you good. The burgers stand for the achievement-oriented, nihilist, hedonist and happier ways of relating to the present and future.

You can make four boxes and put a few experiences in each. Studying is an obvious example. Some of it is an investment you endure for later. A subject you enjoy can make the time worthwhile even before it pays off.

Where Enjoyment and Meaning Meet

For Ben-Shahar, happiness involves both pleasure and meaning. An evening of avoiding work can be pleasant while leaving a problem for tomorrow. Preparing for tomorrow can also take up every evening. The question is whether anything you are doing serves both times at once.

The book asks readers to notice goals they chose themselves. One exercise uses three overlapping circles for meaning, enjoyment and strengths. I liked the concrete work of putting activities in the circles. The book’s example leads someone to see that they enjoy working with children, care about it and can bring something to it.

Making Some Time Available

The chapter on simplicity made me think of Thoreau. Giving fewer things a claim on your day can leave you time to see which ones matter. Ben-Shahar also draws on the idea of time affluence: having hours you can use as you choose can matter more than adding another thing to own.

The part I came back to was the smaller question. I may not be able to say what happiness is in general. I can sometimes see what would make an hour I already spend feel more like a part of the life I want.