Dr Martin Seligman

Professor Martin Seligman

In this HardTalk programme, first broadcast on 19 December 2007 Stephen Sackur talks to Professor Martin Seligman, from the University of Pennsylvania.

What makes human beings happy?

Philosophers have wrestled with the question for millennia, now it has acquired a political edge.

Politicians are vying to develop policies which maximise wellbeing and quality of life rather than simple economic growth.

Martin Seligman is internationally renowned as the founder of positive psychology.

Is his research into happiness ‘psycho-babble' or the key to a better world?

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