The Cognitive Science of Happiness with Mark Miller

<p>Why does the modern pursuit of happiness so often leave people feeling lost?</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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 <strong>Generations of Joy</strong>, which integrates cognitive science, philosophy, contemplative practice, and modern neuroscience.</p> <p>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 where he contributes to interdisciplinary work on artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and human nature.</p> <p class="not-prose mt-0! mb-0! flex-auto truncate">Mark Miller</p> <p>Website<br /> <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.markdmiller.live/" rel="noopener" target="_new">https://www.markdmiller.live/</a></p> <p>Cognitive Science<br /> <a class="decorated-link" href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/cognitive-science/" rel="noopener" target="_new">https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/cognitive-science/</a></p> <p>Philosophical Psychology<br /> <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cphp20/current" rel="noopener" target="_new">https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cphp20/current</a></p> <p>Socrates<br /> <a class="decorated-link" href="https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/socrates/" rel="noopener" target="_new">https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/socrates/</a></p> <p>Support the Lectern community on Patreon<br /> <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke" rel="noopener" target="_new">https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke</a></p> <p>Explore the course Generations of Joy on The Lectern<br /> <a class="decorated-link" href="https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/courses/generations-of-joy" rel="noopener" target="_new">https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/courses/generations-of-joy</a></p> <p>00:00 Welcome to the Lectern<br /> 03:30 Mark's background and research homes<br /> 04:30 Course preview Generations of Joy<br /> 06:00 Cutting edge meditation science<br /> 08:00 Ancient philosophy meets cognitive science<br /> 10:30 Defining happiness beyond media narratives<br /> 12:30 First principles cognitive framework<br /> 15:30 Humans as epistemic agents<br /> 17:45 Knowing your owner's manual<br /> 18:00 Meaning wisdom and insight<br /> 27:00 Addiction despair and course roadmap<br /> 28:00 Flexibility and reframing<br /> 29:00 Week one the predictive mind<br /> 31:00 Dogen on ignorance<br /> 33:00 Neuroscience of emptiness<br /> 35:00 Weeks two through eight overview<br /> 40:00 Why the course matters<br /> 43:00 Interlocking crises and relevance<br /> 47:30 Doomscrolling drugs and misinformation<br /> 50:00 Discernment versus spiritual buffet<br /> 51:00 Meditation risks ethics and education<br /> 53:30 Off the shelf spirituality critique</p> <p>Follow John Vervaeke<br /> Website <a class="decorated-link" href="https://johnvervaeke.com" rel="noopener" target="_new">https://johnvervaeke.com</a><br /> Twitter <a class="decorated-link" href="https://x.com/DrJohnVervaeke" rel="noopener" target="_new">https://x.com/DrJohnVervaeke</a><br /> YouTube <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos" rel="noopener" target="_new">https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke/videos</a><br /> Patreon <a class="decorated-link" href="https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke" rel="noopener" target="_new">https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke</a></p>