Life in Three Dimensions

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A trailblazing exploration of the good life challenges conventional notions of stability and comfort. Shigehiro Oishi reflects on his father's life in a small Japanese town, where familial duty takes precedence. However, is a happy life the only route to fulfillment? In this work, Oishi engages in a longstanding debate in psychology, sparked in 1984 by Ed Diener's research on happiness, and later countered by a focus on purpose and meaning. Oishi introduces a third dimension: psychological richness, which emphasizes curiosity, exploration, and diverse experiences that foster personal growth. He critiques the limitations of happiness and meaning as life guides, identifying complacency and regret as a "happiness trap," and narrowness and misplaced loyalty as a "meaning trap." Oishi argues that psychological richness balances these aspects, promoting insight and growth through uncertainty and challenges. With a lively narrative supported by psychological studies and examples from notable figures, Oishi presents a new pathway to a fuller, more satisfying life with fewer regrets, encouraging readers to embrace the transformative power of variety and experience.