Glücksversuche

How can I get a little closer to myself and thus to my happiness? The new book by Ariadne von Schirach is a compass for contemporary and ancient concepts of happiness, showing ways to make the inner voice audible. Humor, kindness, and enjoyment play as important a role in her 80 self-experiments as the Greek philosophers do. Because a happy life is always also a meaningful life.

Is it even permissible to want to be happy in times like these? Is it acceptable to care about one’s own well-being when so many people around the world are struggling for their lives, their rights, or recognition? Yes, because the happiness discussed in this book does not refer to self-optimization or positive psychology. It is not self-referential but revolves around relationships and participation, rooted in a tradition that began with the Greek philosopher Epicurus. He placed the conscious joy of living and friendship with others at the center of his thinking. And even today, it is essential to take good care of oneself so that one can take good care of others and other matters—whether it’s the climate, a job that matters, or people who are dear to us.