What Martin Seligman has said about Positive psychology
2 quotes · 1 episode · Oct 24, 2026
Martin Seligman, Psychologist known for learned helplessness research, author of a forthcoming book on agency, has been quoted on Positive psychology 2 times in 1 episode of Modern Wisdom, most recently on October 24, 2026. Each quote below is verbatim and links to the moment it was said.
In their words
Seligman argues that psychology 60 years ago had three blind spots: happiness, thinking, and determinism, all of which proved wrong.
“psychology had that made asking questions about human happiness and human agency almost impossible. The first blind spot was happiness itself”
Modern Wisdom: Positive Psychology Founder: How To Stop Your Negative Thoughts - Martin Seligman - #1167 (Oct 24, 2026) · Listen from 0:42
Seligman argues psychology focused on misery because NIMH funding and insurance reimbursement paid for treating disorders, not increasing happiness.
“psychology followed the money, essentially, both in getting grants and in treating people at the expense of asking the question, hey, can people flourish?”
Modern Wisdom: Positive Psychology Founder: How To Stop Your Negative Thoughts - Martin Seligman - #1167 (Oct 24, 2026) · Listen from 11:56
Episodes
Positive Psychology Founder: How To Stop Your Negative Thoughts - Martin Seligman - #1167Modern Wisdom · Oct 24, 2026 · 1 h 21 min
Chris Williamson talks with psychologist Martin Seligman about learned helplessness, optimism, his new book Agency, AI and creativity, and the Axial Age.
Martin Seligman on other topics
- Agency (Martin Seligman book) · 3 quotes
- Artificial intelligence · 2 quotes
- Optimism · 2 quotes
- Learned helplessness · 2 quotes
- What You Can Change and What You Can't · 1 quote
- Dreaming · 1 quote
- 2024 United States presidential election · 1 quote
- Consciousness · 1 quote