In human history, we are going from knowledge to omniscience, from potence to omnipotence, from ethics and religion to righteousness. So, in my view, God comes at the end of this long process. This may not happen in our lifetimes or even in the lifetime of our species. Martin Seligman endethicgod share on social
Perhaps the single most robust fact across many surveys is that married people are happier than anyone else. Martin Seligman facthappymarry Change image and share on social
The word 'happiness' always bothered me, partly because it was scientifically unwieldy and meant a lot of different things to different people, and also because it's subjective. Martin Seligman botherhappinesslot Change image and share on social
I believe psychology has done very well in working out how to understand and treat disease. But I think that is literally half-baked. If all you do is work to fix problems, to alleviate suffering, then by definition you are working to get people to zero, to neutral. Martin Seligman alleviatebakedefinition share on social
Positive emotion alienated from the exercise of character leads to emptiness, to inauthenticity, to depression, and, as we age, to the gnawing realization that we are fidgeting until we die. Martin Seligman agealienatecharacter Change image and share on social
One of my signature strengths is the love of learning, and by teaching, I have built it into the fabric of my life. I try to do some of it every day. Martin Seligman builddayfabric Change image and share on social
It's no surprise that optimistic athletes, managers and teams do better. What's interesting is where they do better. It's in coming back from defeat and acting in the clutch. Martin Seligman actathleteback Change image and share on social
Suppose you could be hooked up to a hypothetical 'experience machine' that, for the rest of your life, would stimulate your brain and give you any positive feelings you desire. Most people to whom I offer this imaginary choice refuse the machine. It is not just positive feelings we want: we want to be entitled to our positive feelings. Martin Seligman brainchoicedesire share on social
I don't mind being wrong, and I don't mind changing my mind. Martin Seligman changemindwrong Change image and share on social
Optimistic people generally feel that good things will last a long time and will have a beneficial effect on everything they do. And they think that bad things are isolated: They won't last too long and won't affect other parts of life. Martin Seligman affectbadbeneficial share on social