The Art of the Interesting: What We Miss in Our Pursuit of the Good Life and How to Cultivate It

Philosopher and popular Middlebury professor Dr. Lorraine Besser reveals the missing third piece in our search for the Good Life--what she calls The Interesting--and teaches us how to cultivate it in our lives.

Do you know anyone who’s truly living The Good Life? Traditionally, philosophers and psychologists have thought of the Good Life in terms of happiness or meaning, or some combination of both. But, if it’s really that simple, if all you need is more happiness or meaning to get to the Good Life, why aren’t more of us achieving that truly ＂good＂ life? You’ve hit all the traditional markers, jumped on the happiness train, committed to a gratitude practice, sought purpose in your work, and yet The Good Life you’re seeking, is still out of reach.

Emerging research is revealing that there is, in fact, more to the good life than the current --and even ancient--conversation suggests. This has been identified as psychological richness. Dr. Lorraine Besser, a founding investigator in these studies, shows how psychological richness helps to make our Good Lives more interesting. Interesting experiences captivate our minds, engage our thoughts and emotions, and often change our perspective. What’s interesting is different for everyone, and everyone can obtain and strengthen the skills necessary to access the interesting.

In this illuminating book, you’ll take a deeper dive into the ways that you can cultivate the interesting in your everyday life, including:

• How to develop an interesting mindset
• How to harness the power of novelty
• How to turn obstacles into adventures

Through delightful stories, powerful tools, and new mindsets, you’ll learn how to ＂keep it interesting.＂ Whether you feel like something is missing from your life, or you’re yearning for more, Besser’s groundbreaking manifesto will guide you toward a fuller, more satisfying life.

Lorraine Besser, Ph.D. is Professor of Philosophy at Middlebury College where she teaches popular courses for undergraduates on happiness, well-being, and ethics. She has been part of the research team studying and publishing on psychological richness for several years. She is an internationally recognized scholar and the author of two academic books (The Philosophy of Happiness: An Interdisciplinary Introduction and Eudaimonic Ethics: The Philosophy and Psychology of Living Well) and multiple popular and professional journal articles. She is regularly invited to speak at a variety of venues including conferences and universities.