Born to Be Good

The Science of a Meaningful Life

By: Dacher Keltner

Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

In this startling study of human emotion, Dacher Keltner investigates an unanswered question of human evolution: If humans are hardwired to lead lives that are "nasty, brutish, and short", why have we evolved with positive emotions like gratitude, amusement, awe, and compassion that promote ethical action and cooperative societies? Born to Be Good takes us on a journey through scientific discovery, personal narrative, and Eastern philosophy. Positive emotions, Keltner finds, lie at the core of human nature and shape our everyday behavior - and they just may be the key to understanding how we can live our lives better.

NOTE: Some changes to the original text have been made with the author's approval.

©2009 Dacher Keltner (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

The reader matters

The tone of the reading felt like a cross between and old-school radio DJ and a snooty lecture. This style of audiobook just doesn’t cut the mustard for me anymore. I’d much prefer nonfiction to be read by the author or by someone who seems passionate about the subject.

Well done, unique view of positive psychology

This book is an excellent review of awe, the vagal nerve of goosebumps, and especially of the facial expressions and their origins as they relate to how we function together in society. If you enjoy positive psychology books you will find this one refreshingly different from what is typically offered.

It was Just Good

Dacher Keltner’s Born to Be Good: The Science of a Meaningful Life offers an exploration into the science behind human emotions and the concept of the Jen ratio. As an educator with a keen interest in scientific insights and the intricacies of human behavior, I found the research studies presented in the book to be particularly interesting. Keltner’s ability to infuse humor into his writing made the scientific content more engaging and accessible, which kept me reading.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its deep dive into the science of facial expressions and the various emotions that shape our interactions. Learning about the Jen ratio and its implications for a meaningful life was new to me and thought-provoking. However, despite the wealth of information, I felt that the book fell short in providing practical guidance on how to develop the emotions necessary to improve the Jen ratio. The abrupt ending left me wanting more, as I expected a more comprehensive wrap-up and actionable steps. I know the book-in-print had photos and other contents at the end, but with an Audible version, I didn't have that.

While I appreciate the insights and the humor that Keltner brought to the table, the lack of a clear conclusion and practical advice ultimately led me to rate the book three stars. As someone who values positivity and optimism, it feels ironic to give a lower rating to a book that aims to promote a meaningful life. Nonetheless, Born to Be Good is a valuable read for those interested in the science of emotions and human behavior, even if it leaves some questions unanswered.

I Got This Book...

because it was positively mentioned in Paul Zak's The Moral Molecule, and it sounded interesting--and it is! But, like with Zak's work, I have a qualification to make. Keltner does a great job of showing how positive emotions work, from the physiological to the social levels and why they have evolved to help us get along and for society to flourish. And all that is good. But like Zak, he shows only one side of the story. What about the negative emotions? They have evolved too, and with good purpose. If we wholeheartedly loved and trusted everyone all the time, we would great grossly taken advantage of. One could easily write a book solely on the negative emotions and call it Born To Be Bad (Keltner's title is perhaps his biggest sin here--clearly written as a draw on readers--a catchy hook). Don't get me wrong. It is a good analysis of the positive emotions and why we have them, but don't take this book alone as your sole guide. The Emotional Life Of The Brain is a much more complete book on neurology and the emotions, and I highly recommend that it be read directly after this one.

Expected Better

Trying too hard to make subjective experiences seem like science. Was really looking for something research based.