Episode · Freakonomics Radio · 2018-08-16
Books mentioned on 345. How to Be Happy
The U.N.
Stephen Dubner discussed The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell and The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking. Jeff Sachs discussed Nicomachean Ethics.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Year of Living Danishly
The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell is a humorous and insightful travel memoir that follows a journalist's year-long relocation to Denmark in an effort to uncover the cultural secrets behind why the nation consistently ranks among the happiest in the world.
Discussed“She set out to answer these questions in a book she called The Year of Living Danishly, Uncovering the Secrets of the World's Happiest Country.”
Where to get it
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Nicomachean Ethics
Aristotle's classical treatise on virtue, happiness, and human flourishing remains a cornerstone of philosophical inquiry and ethical discussion.
Discussed“And he pointed out in the Nicomachean Ethics 2,300 years ago that to be happy requires the good benefit of having material needs met.”
Where to get it
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The Little Book of Hygge
The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking is an international bestseller that explores the Danish concept of hygge, a term embodying comfort, coziness, and a sense of shared well-being that contributes significantly to the high happiness levels in Denmark.
Discussed“Viking is the author of an international bestseller called The Little Book of Hygge.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (1) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“Some of the economists that I spoke to for the Year of Living Danishly put it that actually these high levels of trust have been here that predate the social services and the social welfare system.”