Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment

In the preface to Authentic Happiness, Martin Seligman critiques the traditional scope of psychology, which he argues has been dominated for decades by the study and treatment of mental illness. While acknowledging the progress made in alleviating conditions such as depression and anxiety, Seligman contends that this focus has come at the cost of neglecting a deeper human yearning: the desire to thrive. Psychology, he argues, has overlooked the importance of cultivating joy, meaning, and fulfillment.

Seligman introduces Positive Psychology as a necessary corrective. Rather than concentrating solely on fixing what’s wrong, this emerging field seeks to understand and nurture what’s right: positive emotions, strengths, and virtues that enable people and communities to flourish. He emphasizes that happiness is not simply the absence of suffering but involves building a life of engagement and purpose. In this light, therapy should not only heal but also help people identify and develop their potential. This approach also responds to a growing dissatisfaction with traditional therapeutic models, which may reduce symptoms but often leave clients feeling directionless. Seligman believes people crave more than neutrality; they want joy, resilience, and a sense of progress. He suggests that while many therapists already strive toward these outcomes, Positive Psychology offers the scientific tools to pursue them more effectively.