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Good Thought
April 2026

Joy: Its Nature and Contribution to Human Flourishing

Robert A. Emmons

Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis

In his foundational article, Robert A. Emmons, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of California, Davis, provides a road map to understanding the psychology of joy. He writes, “joy offers a fuller and richer portrait of a person’s capacity to live a life of purpose, meaning, and value, or an experience of “elation of right relation” between ourselves and the world.” Read more.

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Institute for Social Concerns

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