Happiness Is a Serious Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual

Editorial Reviews. leondumoulin.nl Review. In this unique blend of self-help and moral philosophy, talk-radio host Dennis Prager asserts that we're actually.
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I do agree that we all have a moral obligation to be happy! I agree that there are things we invest our time in that will lead to greater happiness. Things with intrinsic value. Apr 05, Alexander Fitzgerald rated it it was amazing Shelves: This Jewish gentleman is one of my favorite thinkers on Earth. I began listening to him because I enjoyed most not all of his conservative views.

At a younger age I was hysterically liberal. As I came to manage a business and employees, started paying taxes, and began helping people who did nothing for me in return I initiated my conservative lean although I refused to vote for Romney. Once I saw how the religious freedoms of Christians are repeatedly infringed upon by The Left I began getti This Jewish gentleman is one of my favorite thinkers on Earth.

Once I saw how the religious freedoms of Christians are repeatedly infringed upon by The Left I began getting angrier. His writing style is not convoluted for the sake of proving his intelligence. He has the utmost respect for someone who differs in opinion to him who wants to deconstruct the issues with him, but his biting desire for logic leaves holes in the arguments of many fraudulent speakers. You will feel as if you are no longer a passive player as he educates you. This book is a great service to mankind because Mr.

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Prager sets aside his political and religious views to help people as much as he can. He counsels those who require medication for their psychological condition, and provides compelling and compassionate arguments for ennobling these people to a higher purpose. At no point does he work to convert anyone into a victim mentality, and he even goes at great lengths to expose how those who see themselves as victims can never achieve contentment.

He works to give people the mental wherewithal to push themselves harder. I finished it in barely three sittings. I rarely do that with any book. I usually prefer to flit around, but I felt like a wise old man was giving my mental game a kick start. Pick this book up. Build some mental muscle. Sep 15, Regina Doman rated it it was amazing Shelves: This is one of those books that can change you forever.

For me, it reaffirmed, from a secular perspective, what I had been taught in a religious context and gave it the added social dimension that universalized the principal. Basically, to use Prager's own words, "Happiness is a moral obligation: The world is made worse by the unhappy. But if more and more people heeded them, especially women, this world would be a better place This is one of those books that can change you forever. But if more and more people heeded them, especially women, this world would be a better place.

Jun 26, Jini rated it it was amazing. I really think this should be required reading for everyone. It's very illuminating and thought provoking. I've always thought of myself as a pretty happy person before reading this, but I've been working on a few things in this book I recognized that I do like the Broken Tile Syndrome. Caught myself doing that more than once. May 14, Cinnamon rated it really liked it. Some people criticize this book because they feel like it says be happy with what you have and don't try to change it. But I got so much more out of it.

Setting aside expectations can be a key to happiness.

Happiness Is a Serious Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual by Dennis Prager

I thought it was a great message for a world full of people with entitlement issues. Jul 10, Emily Grass rated it liked it. This book had some good nuggets of wisdom but I found that it was over reliant on religion as a source of happiness for everyone. I understand that Dennis Prager is religious himself, and thus, cannot understand how someone that does not follow one manages to have meaning in their life, his conclusion that they can not be truly happy and fulfilled does not seem correct to me.

To see purpose in the universe will surface for some, or they may be able to fill it as they are with the missing tile an This book had some good nuggets of wisdom but I found that it was over reliant on religion as a source of happiness for everyone. To see purpose in the universe will surface for some, or they may be able to fill it as they are with the missing tile analogy. I did like parts of this book, for instance it is very simply and clearly written.

I liked the chapter, Happiness is a Byproduct, and thought that it was the best part of the book. One should not strive for happiness alone but one should cultivate a good life. I also disagreed with Prager on some of the differences that he believes exist between ALL men and women, finding it too narrow and old fashioned of a view. He asserts that the sexes are almost different species and assumes that it is a biological difference that is unchanging but to study history, would be to disprove this theory. Though I agree that some difference exist in general, there is no way to say that ones gender distinction determines completely what is insatiable to a person in a romantic relationship.

I believe that this was oversimplified and based on old assumptions. Also, in a world where men and women increasingly work together, why should they not have more in common than in the past. Further, he suggests making friends only with the same values as yourself but then how are we to come to new ideas and grow, as he also suggests. Though I have many criticisms for this book, I am glad that I took the time to read it. It was an easy read, only a couple of hours, and it did make me think about the issues he addressed.

He says that it is a moral obligation for us to be as happy as possible for everyone in our live's sake, and I thought that was an interesting concept. The mind and perspective are the biggest players in the happiness game. Our images or expectations can and often do limit our contentment with what we have. Gratitude is a great tool for happiness, etc.

I would recommend reading it but being cautious in assuming his perspectives are true. Think critically and take what is helpful while leaving the rest. Jan 25, Callie rated it really liked it Shelves: I have listened to Dennis Prager on and off through the years, and I always appreciate his perspective on human nature, so I was curious to read this book.

I was not disappointed! Prager talks about many common barriers to happiness, and what we can do to combat those in order to be as happy as we can be despite our circumstances. Great insight on happiness and human nature. That said, I do not agree with Prager on everything.

I found myself disagreeing with Chapter 27, where Prager argues for a I have listened to Dennis Prager on and off through the years, and I always appreciate his perspective on human nature, so I was curious to read this book. I found myself disagreeing with Chapter 27, where Prager argues for allowing expression of your lower urges - for example he argues that though looking at por.

I understand that he is trying to distinguish between the unholy and the immoral, but I don't agree with all his categorizations, or what he says to do with our lower thoughts and urges. He argues that acting on lower thoughts in moderation can just be considered "vices", not necessarily sins - which may be true for some issues such as over-spending, perhaps but not for all I think looking at por.

Prager also argues on page that human nature is neither good nor evil - but I do believe that human nature is basically sinful. That is our tendency, and that is why none of us is without sin Romans 3: Beyond those disagreements though, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought there was a lot of wisdom in it! If you want to understand human nature better and overcome some common obstacles to happiness, this is the book for you.

I definitely recommend it, just read with an eye of discernment as well. Aug 23, Laura Leaney rated it liked it. I've always enjoyed Dennis Prager's commentary on the radio and his syndicated columns, at least when they used to be included in the LA Times. He's a clear and logical thinker, cutting right to the ethical truth of certain ills besetting our society.

The first half of this book was enjoyable for me, and Prager's views on what causes unhappiness and what makes us happy is a nice reminder that our own mindset is what prevents our joy - not our circumstances. Definitely reminiscent of the teaching I've always enjoyed Dennis Prager's commentary on the radio and his syndicated columns, at least when they used to be included in the LA Times. Definitely reminiscent of the teachings of Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and some of the tenets of Buddhism.

The last half of the book is a little creepy. Prager's belief that ALL men have an insatiable lust for sexual variety and that ALL women have an insatiable need for emotional intimacy made me cringe. It's just too unsubtle for me. Then his espousal of religion as one of the pillars of happiness did me in. I had other issues as well including his emphasis on marriage and having children , but this will do for now. View all 11 comments. May 08, Jamie rated it it was amazing Shelves: Sure, the ideas in this book aren't new, and they may be expressed more eloquently or in more detail in philosophical texts and other teachings, but this book brings all these concepts together in a very approachable way.

I really liked that. When someone is struggling and looking for tips and reminders on how to stay positive and grateful in difficult times, they don't have the energy to pour through deeply philosophical essays, they want something they can pick up that quickly and simply remin Sure, the ideas in this book aren't new, and they may be expressed more eloquently or in more detail in philosophical texts and other teachings, but this book brings all these concepts together in a very approachable way.

When someone is struggling and looking for tips and reminders on how to stay positive and grateful in difficult times, they don't have the energy to pour through deeply philosophical essays, they want something they can pick up that quickly and simply reminds them how to stay on track. I think this book succeeds in doing that. It was like a cliff notes and anecdotal version of many great things I've read by philosophers and spiritual teachers compiled into one book.

Dec 14, Anne Lucas rated it it was amazing. I know Dennis Prager to be a sage man and have read some of his other books, but I missed this one.


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I work in senior services. Some people as they age are almost desperate to find "happiness"; I have tried to reframe their understanding so they can appreciate the word "contented. This book is a gem - for my clients and for me. Feb 05, David Lafferty rated it really liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

It comes down to gratitude. Jun 12, Cathimiller rated it it was amazing. May 13, Nathan Albright rated it it was amazing Shelves: It has been a while since I last read a book by Dennis Prager [1], but I will be reading a few more in the near future so I figured that this book from the library would be a good start. And in general I find myself largely in agreement with the author that happiness is a serious problem and that it must be dealt with seriously [2].

This is not to say that I agree with everything the author says on the subject of happiness, for that is not the case. There is a lot that I agree with, though, a It has been a while since I last read a book by Dennis Prager [1], but I will be reading a few more in the near future so I figured that this book from the library would be a good start. There is a lot that I agree with, though, and this book is certainly a worthwhile one, there are some occasions where the author's works-based theology hinders him from an accurate understanding of the world. And while there are occasions where the author does contradict himself, he does in general view happiness as something that is an individual responsibility and a moral imperative and he deals with aspects of happiness that are in the control of the reader as well as those aspects that depend on others and may hence be unreliable.

The book is less than pages and is organized into three parts. The first part looks t the premises of happiness I , namely that it is a moral obligation 1 , that it takes work 2 , that the mind is central in happiness 3 , that there is no good definition of happiness 4 , and that life is tragic 5. These are all premises I happen to believe. After this the author looks at major obstacles to happiness and briefly how to deal with them II , like human nature 6 , comparing ourselves with others 7 , images 8 , missing tile syndrome 9 , equating happiness with success 10 , equating happiness with fun 11 , fear and the avoidance of pain 12 , expectations 13 , family 14 , the suffering that is in the world 15 , seeking unconditional love 16 , seeing yourself as a victim 17 , the opposite sex 18 , and genes and biochemistry The third part of the book then deals with attitudes and behaviors that the author considers essential to happiness, namely finding meaning and purpose 20 , viewing happiness as a by-product of doing something else 21 , cultivating a robust philosophy of life 22 , finding the positive 23 , accepting tension 24 , knowing and accepting the price of everything in life 25 , accepting the lower parts of one's nature 26 , allowing innocuous expression of one's lower parts 27 , seeking to do good 28 , developing self-control 29 , finding and making friends 30 , and using psychotherapy and religion 31 , after which the author has an epilogue enjoining passionate moderation.

Overall, the author strikes me as someone who is fairly grimly realistic and also someone who has a basic acceptance of aspects of contemporary life that I would not be as generous towards, especially psychotherapy. Nevertheless, even where the author is encouraging readers to have a positive view of therapy, he is candid enough to admit that most therapists are not very good, which has certainly been my own personal experience in the matter. Overall he is a firm believer of people taking responsibility for their own happiness and this approach is of the same tenor as the author's generally conservative approach to other aspects of existence too.

To be sure, there is an admission that the world is a place that is full of evil and sadness but also a resolution that the best way to make the best of existence is to do what we can with what we have and not to whine about what an unfair hand nature has dealt us. That this approach is strongly against the general zeitgeist is something to be commended and appreciated as well. This is a little book but it is definitely important reading for anyone who finds themselves wanting to be happy and seeing happiness as a by-product of virtue and wisdom.

Sep 24, Cole Ramirez rated it it was ok Shelves: This wasn't absolutely terrible, but I can't say I'm any happier having read it. I closed the book with the foremost thought in my mind "no duh". I suppose if you've never once considered the reasons some people are happier than others there might be a few beneficial nuggets in there but to me it was pretty unenlightening.

I would have appreciated more facts as well - real research and statistics. As a side note, I think it's really strange that Prager defines his greatest macro goal as "communi This wasn't absolutely terrible, but I can't say I'm any happier having read it.

Happiness Is a Serious Problem: A Human Nature Repair Manual

As a side note, I think it's really strange that Prager defines his greatest macro goal as "communicate ing my values and ideas to as many people as possible. Sep 04, Amjad Al Taleb rated it it was ok Shelves: Refresh and try again. Happiness Is a Serious Problem Quotes showing of One is that you cannot be happy if your primary identity is that of a victim, even if you really are one.

There are a number of reasons: People who regard themselves as victims do not see themselves as in control of their lives.

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Whatever happens in their lives happens to them, not by them. People who primarily regard themselves as victims see the world as unfair to them in particular. People who regard themselves primarily as victims are angry people, and an angry disposition renders happiness impossible. People who have chosen to regard themselves as victims cannot allow themselves to enjoy life, because enjoying life would challenge their perception of themselves as victims. A Human Nature Repair Manual. All happy people are grateful, and ungrateful people cannot be happy.

We tend to think that it is being unhappy that leads people to complain, but it is truer to say that it is complaining that leads to people becoming unhappy. Become grateful and you will become a much happier person. If you are overweight, all you see are flat stomachs and perfect physical specimens.

If you have pimples, all you see is flawless skin. Women who have difficulty getting pregnant walk around seeing only pregnant women and babies. Nor do you need to be overweight, have pimples, be balding, or want a child to believe that you have a missing tile. You can allow any real—or merely perceived—flaw to diminish your happiness. Most likely you know how much unhappiness everyone you know well has experienced.