True fulfillment is often misunderstood as the avoidance of negative experiences. We explore the tension between seeking fleeting sensory pleasure and building a deeper, more resilient state of being that can withstand life’s challenges.

This conversation redefines happiness not as a branch of psychology, but as an interdisciplinary field of study. By combining insights from theology, economics, and neuroscience, we find that authentic well-being is built on intellectual development, social connection, and the capacity to process pain.

• The necessity of synthesizing diverse fields like literature and neuroscience to understand joy.
• Distinguishing between momentary pleasure and a life built on meaning and purpose.
• The role of affective realism in accepting the painful experiences of daily life.
• How systemic  ...