Sapient Nature

Bite-sized insights on the human condition.

by Raj Raghunathan, Ph.D.

Free Will Is an Illusion, So What?

Findings from psychology and neurosciences provide convincing evidence that free will is an illusion. A question that naturally follows is: If free will is an illusion, what are the implications? How should we think or act differently? This article explores this question. Read More

Happiness Now, Or Happiness Later?

To focus on enhancing present happiness at the cost of future happiness or vice versa? That's the fundamental human dilemma. Conventional solutions to the dilemma involve identifying and then investing in activities that have best potential for enhancing both present and future happiness. However, there's another—less obvious, but more potent—solution to the dilemma. Read More

Figuring Out the Answer to Who Am I?

Can the mind and the intellect be used to figure out the answer to one of life's biggest questions: Who am I? I am pessimistic, for reasons I discuss in this article. Read More

Familiarity Breeds Enjoyment

Although the saying, "familiarity breeds contempt," suggests that we learn to dislike familiar stimuli, scientific results suggest the opposite: we develop greater liking toward familiar stimuli. A simple and effective means of deriving greater enjoyment from life, then, is to familiarize ourselves with various stimuli--from foods and music to activities and viewpoints. Read More

Taking Personal Responsibility Doesn't Give You The Right to Blame Others

In response to my earlier post, Gautam provides two dangers associated with taking personal responsibility for your happiness. I discuss reasons why Gautam's counter-arguments are not valid. Read More

Taking Personal Responsibility for Your Happiness

Taking personal responsbility is a crucial milestone in the quest for happiness. However, willingness to take personal responsibility is alone not sufficient for enhancing happiness--it needs to be combined with mental control, and the ability to surrender. Read More

Wanted: Happy People!

One reason why many of us aren't as happy as we could be is because we feel we don't deserve to be happy. But findings show that we are more selfless and less selfish when we are happy than when are unhappy. So, at least for everyone else's sake, don't stop yourself from being as happy as you can be! Read More

Overcoming Jealousy

Most people won't admit to feeling jealous when a close friend does well, even though research shows that they do. However, admitting to feeling jealous is an important step in overcoming it. Read More

Counterproductive Productivity

We all implicitly assume that efficiency and productivity–and therefore hardwork that leads to them–are good things. But what if the feverish pursuit of productivity comes at a cost to our own well-being and causes harm to others? Read More

The Will that Powers Success

When we think of will power, we typically think of the kind that requires expending effort to overcome physical or mental strain. But the kind of will power that is a more critical determinant of success is the more subtle type, one that involves the ability to control one's mind. Read More

Grow to Be a Child

Children can be impulsive, irritable and immature, but they can also be spontaneous, unselfconscious and joyful. What would it take to be a mature adult who is also spontaneous and joyful? What would it take, in other words, to become a childlike adult? Read More

The Allure of Anger and the Entitlement-Mindset Trap

It is easier to be blame others and be angry than it is to take personal responsibility and feel sad, guilty or anxious. However, when blaming others becomes a habit, it leads to the "entitlement mindset," which is one of the most powerful happiness-killers. Read More

Energy Cycles, Flow, and Emotional Positivity

One of the most significant determinants of your emotional state is how you manage your energy levels. Contrary to what many people believe, we are not programmed to "seek the path of least resistance": in fact, we derive enjoyment from expending energy too. Learn more about the linkages between energy cycles and happiness by reading this post. Read More

The Need to Be Busy

What motivates us to do the things we do? Could at least part of the answer lie in the need to be busy? Some recent findings would appear to suggest so. Read More

The Four Attitudes of Happiness

Although it is not possible to become happier by just telling ourselves that we are happier, it is possible to adopt set of attitudes--an outlook towards life--that enhances the chances of experiencing happiness. There are four attitudes, in particular, that can significantly enhance the quality of your emotional life. Read More

Delusion, Productivity, and Success

Most people consider it important to hold realistic views of themselves and the world around them, partly because being realistic is important for setting and achieving goals. But what if it turned out that delusional people achieve more? Read More

Are You a Social Cynic?

Although we desire others to view our actions in a positive light, we don't return them the favor: we are generally cynical in interpreting others' actions. Social cynicism erodes into our well being and happiness. Being less cynical not only promotes our own well-being, it also promotes societal well-being. Read More

Don't Be Judgmental, Be Discerning

Most of us wish to be nice to others, but we shouldn't let this desire deny us the ability to be discerning and non-judgmental at the same time. Read More

Which Is More Important: Truth or Happiness?

If given a choice between knowing the "Truth," and being Happy, which would you choose? Turns out that the answer depends on how you are feeling right now. Read More

Are Good Looking People Dumb?

Pleasurable and enjoyable products, people and activities are thought to be less practical and functional. Where does this belief come from? Read More

The Art of Giving Up

To lead a happy and fulfilling life, it may be just as important to abandon goals as it is to pursue them. But you wouldn't know that from looking at the excessive--and often exclusive--focus on success stories in today's society. Read More

The Unhealthy = Tasty Intuition: Are You Under Its Subconscious Influence?

Most Americans subscribe to the unhealthy equals tasty intuition; it's the belief that tasty food is generally unhealthy. Findings show that the influence of the intuition on enjoyment of food can be subconscious. Read More

Do People Think Ethical Is Ineffective?

Findings show that although consumers voice strong support for the "green movement," they privately harbor misgivings about the effectiveness of green products and hence, are less likely to purchase them. Could the "ethical = less effective" belief generalize to the context of judging people as well, that is, do we assume that ethical people are less effective? Read More

Is Atheism Just Another Faith?

To an atheist, the idea that people could change their beliefs about God under duress shouldn’t feel threatening. At worst, it should feel like it doesn't apply to you, and at best, it should feel like a hypothesis worth entertaining. Read More

When The Going Gets Tough, The Atheists Go Praying

Whether you believe in God is not as much a matter of how smart or educated you are, but a matter of whether life has worked out in a way that makes you feel comfortable enough to be an atheist. The smart just happen to be lucky enough to lead a comfortable life, and this comfort affords them the luxury to be an atheist. Read More

Go, Go, Grow!

One reason we give up on our pursuits is because we feel like we are not progressing as desired. However, growth in learning and expertise happens in discontinuous spurts, and the next spurt may be just around the corner. So, don't give up: You're learning and growing even though you may not know it. Read More

What Does Picking on Charlie Say About Us?

No one likes to admit that they like gossiping, and there's a reason why: gossipers know that the motives for gossiping are generally not noble. We gossip to bring down another person and, in the process, feel better about ourselves. To be aware of this motive is important for self-growth. Read More

Wisdom From People In Their Winter Years

We have a tendency to avoid doing things that may embarrass us or invite ridicule. However, not taking action out of fear of failure could be an even bigger mistake, since in the long-run, we are more likely to regret not having overcome our fear to do the things about which we are truly passionate. Read More

Are Women Their Own Worst Enemies?

Despite the fact that women are strong supporters of women's upliftment, they simultaneously perceive that it is other women who are most likely to sabotage their progress. This article explores the psychological bases for this conundrum. Read More

Happy-Smarts: Do You Have It?

People generally say happiness is their most important goal, but often, they don't act as if they really want happiness; they let other--more minor--things come in the way. If you are serious about leading a happy, fulfilling life, then you better accord happiness your # 1 priority. Read More

Raj Raghunathan, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor affiliated with the Department of Marketing at the University of Texas McCombs School of Business.

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