Editor’s note: This podcast is part of an ongoing experiment utilizing AI technology to make academic research and complex ideas more accessible to a wider audience. The content of each episode is rooted in a carefully chosen article (or articles), which it then adapts into a conversational format to make the ideas more approachable. While the format is AI-generated, the core content is selected and shaped by the research.
What makes a life truly worth living? Most of us want to be happy, but true well-being goes beyond just feeling good. This podcast, "What makes a life truly worth living?," explores eudaimonia -- a concept that describes living a deeply fulfilling and meaningful life.
Join our AI hosts as we explore the fascinating connection between your personal life story -- your narrative identity -- and how you find happiness. We'll uncover how your values, motivations, and the way you interpret your experiences shape your overall well-being.
This podcast will:
Explain the difference between hedonic happiness (pleasure and avoiding pain) and eudaimonic happiness (finding meaning and purpose).
Examine the role of intrinsic goals (things like personal growth and strong relationships) in achieving well-being.
Discuss the importance of self-determination and autonomy in making choices that align with your true self.
Offer insights from research on how people create narratives about their lives, particularly around difficult events, and how these narratives can promote growth and transformation.
Whether you're seeking greater happiness, a deeper understanding of yourself, or simply want to explore what it means to live a good life, "What makes a life truly worth living?" offers a thought-provoking and insightful journey.
Sources
Ackerman, S., Zuroff, D., & Moscowitz, D. S. (2000). Generativity in midlife and young adults: Links to agency, communion, and well-being. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 50, 17–41.
Allport, G.W. (1961). Pattern and Growth in Personality. Holt Rinehart and Winston.
Bauer, J. J., McAdams, D. P., & Pals, J. L. (2008). Narrative identity and eudaimonic well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 83–104.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: An introduction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 1–11.
Ryan, R. M., Huta, V., & Deci, E. L. (2008). Living well: A self-determination theory perspective on eudaimonia. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 139–170.
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