The Cognitive Science of Happiness with Mark Miller

About this episode

John Vervaeke discusses the cognitive science of happiness with Mark Miller, exploring the deeper architecture of the human mind and the misleading cultural narratives surrounding happiness.

Why does the modern pursuit of happiness so often leave people feeling lost? In this episode of The Lectern, John Vervaeke speaks with cognitive scientist Mark Miller about the emerging science of happiness and the deeper architecture of the human mind. Drawing from predictive processing theory, the conversation explores how human beings function as epistemic agents who constantly construct models of the world and themselves. The discussion examines why common cultural narratives about happiness are often misleading and why genuine flourishing requires understanding the underlying cognitive processes that shape perception, motivation, and meaning. Mark introduces the framework behind his Lectern course Generations of Joy , which integrates cognitive science, philosophy, contemplative practice, and modern neuroscience. Mark Miller is a cognitive scientist specializing in predictive processing, wellbeing, and the cognitive science of happiness. He teaches in the psychology and cognitive science programs at the University of Toronto and conducts research with the Center for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies at Monash University. He is also affiliated with Hokkaido University…

People in this episode

Host: John Vervaeke

Guest: Mark Miller

Topics covered

• cognitive science
• happiness
• predictive processing
• human mind
• cultural narratives
• flourishing
• wellbeing

Keywords

• cognitive science
• happiness
• predictive processing
• wellbeing
• human mind
• flourishing
• motivation
• meaning

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Toronto, Center for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies, Hokkaido University, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Philosophical Psychology

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