Why virtue is key to your happiness | Laurie Santos

Knowing your key strengths can make you happy in anything you do. Here’s how to identify them.

Drawing from the wisdom of ancient philosophers like Aristotle, history has taught us that the pursuit of a good life is found in cultivating virtues. Yale psychologist Laurie Santos brings us into the modern era of virtuous living by unpacking various schools of thought — from Martin Seligman and Chris Peterson's 24 character strengths to the Japanese practice of Ikigai.

While engaging with character strengths enhances our sense of meaning and happiness, it's our unique “signature strengths” that have a profound impact on our lives. Contrary to the common belief that monetary rewards drive job satisfaction, engaging more of our signature strengths at work not only leads to increased job fulfillment but also improves performance and potentially increases earnings.

But the application of virtue extends beyond the workplace. Finding ways to incorporate humor, zest, or a love of learning into our leisure activities can unlock greater fulfillment and meaning during our free time. Whether through self-reflection or a systematic survey, identifying our signature strengths and committing to their regular practice empowers us to live a more virtuous and meaningful life.

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[Rager._.]

Please provide a work cited description or the links to at least the major key concepts outlined in a videos content down in the description below, such as links to the described journal articles and such used directly here in your video. Personally love the channel’s content, as well as Big Think’s and enjoy further research and reading on the vast majority of topics discussed in these videos, having a detailed description section with links and references on each subject area would be vastly appreciated. Thank you

[harisreekumar]

Thank you Prof. Santos. This is really important content that you are providing to people.

[Kadu]

Excelent content Dr. Santos, thank you.

[MindWorld]

You know how to make even complex topics
accessible and engaging

[moumitachowdhury]

An interesting topic. A "Works Cited" list for this content could have been really useful in engaging more actively with it. Rather than passively listening to it and moving on to the next content, a description of works cited/ consulted could help the interested listeners find more about the ideas discussed, ruminate on the same, and implement them eventually.

[gabrielluimeme]

It matches a lot with the concept of core values. Those who are (23) curious, can google it.

[markg.]

1 social intelligence
2 creativity
3 gratitude
4 hope
5 bravery

6 love of learning
7 leadership
8 kindness
9 curiosity

23 perseverance
24 humility

[TheyCallMeNewb]

This really seems to draw upon some of what's really driving us. This is a good one. Now for the unrelated question: Why is that large room completely empty?

[JohnJones-qjdm]

I knew her voice sounded so familiar. From the Happiness podcast

[NavidSherafati]

Thanks for sharing these valuable informarion!!!

[nubianpwr]

Modern discourse has so diluted the meaning of Virtue that it means nothing now. Reducing it to how good U "feel" about what U are doing misses the mark - by a mile😎

[maazh]

What if one is not fit do to do job instead have traits to run a business

[MrPelikan]

don't lose the plot ...
what we all should be looking at is the process that is happening ...
flourishing / growing / sustaining life itself ... this the process to be focussed on
what beliefs do we have in out minds - that if we act upon them - gives a reinforcing neuro-chemical hit
such that we "feel" good / better / energised / uplighted ...
that we repeat those actions again ...
and those consequences of our actions ... have a result
meanining ...

these are all workings of our mind - processes
that sustain what we do ...

... this is what i got out of the video haha ... peace ✌
science may tell us the whats of what-we-do ...
wisdom will tell us the whys of what-we-do ...
.

[tomcotter]

Please stop turning declarative statements into questions with the little upward inflection at the end of every sentence. It sounds condescending.

[ajithrajesh]

Change the title to - How to make better employees/slaves for the employer

[carlharmeling]

This is the downfall of the pagan world. Our Master said very clearly that virtue does not bring about happiness. Salvation from sin, by which is meant the ultimate in unhappiness, doe not require virtue but only repentance. Virtue is the way around repentance. So, whatever your beliefs, do not conflate virtue with salvation.