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Is Your Brain Built to Mislead You? The Science of Happiness with Mark Miller
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March 13, 2026
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55:01Now PlayingIs the way your brain pursues happiness actually making you miserable? John Vervaeke and cognitive scientist Mark Miller explore the cognitive science of happiness and predictive processing.
In this conversation, John introduces Mark Miller, cognitive scientist, former student, collaborator, and instructor at the University of Toronto. Together they explore the foundations of human flourishing through the lens of modern cognitive science and ancient philosophical insight. The discussion examines why popular culture often misunderstands happiness and why a deeper understanding of cognitive architecture is necessary for genuine wellbeing.
Drawing from predictive processing theory, Mark explains how human beings are fundamentally epistemic agents who constantly construct models of the world. This architecture allows for insight, wisdom, and flourishing, but it also leaves us vulnerable to confusion, addiction, and self-deception. The conversation explores how contemporary crises such as depression, misinformation, and the opioid epidemic are connected to deeper problems in how we understand ourselves.
The discussion also introduces Mark’s eight-week Lectern course Generations of Joy: The Cognitive Science of Happiness, which explores cutting-edge research across meditation science, cognitive neuroscience, philosophy, and contemplative practice. The course examines topics including the predictive mind, addiction and despair, depression and the meaning crisis, meditation and self-transcendence, play and flow states, wisdom, and the cultivation of flourishing.
Mark Miller is a cognitive scientist and researcher 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 as a visiting researcher at Hokkaido University where he contributes to interdisciplinary research on artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and human nature.
Mark Miller
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