The Cognitive Science of Happiness with Mark Miller

Why does the modern pursuit of happiness so often leave people feeling lost?

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.

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 Generations of Joy, which integrates cognitive science, philosophy, contemplative practice, and modern neuroscience.

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.

Mark Miller

Website
https://www.markdmiller.live/

Cognitive Science
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/cognitive-science/

Philosophical Psychology
https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cphp20/current

Socrates
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/socrates/

Support the Lectern community on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke

Explore the course Generations of Joy on The Lectern
https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/courses/generations-of-joy

00:00 Welcome to the Lectern
03:30 Mark's background and research homes
04:30 Course preview Generations of Joy
06:00 Cutting edge meditation science
08:00 Ancient philosophy meets cognitive science
10:30 Defining happiness beyond media narratives
12:30 First principles cognitive framework
15:30 Humans as epistemic agents
17:45 Knowing your owner's manual
18:00 Meaning wisdom and insight
27:00 Addiction despair and course roadmap
28:00 Flexibility and reframing
29:00 Week one the predictive mind
31:00 Dogen on ignorance
33:00 Neuroscience of emptiness
35:00 Weeks two through eight overview
40:00 Why the course matters
43:00 Interlocking crises and relevance
47:30 Doomscrolling drugs and misinformation
50:00 Discernment versus spiritual buffet
51:00 Meditation risks ethics and education
53:30 Off the shelf spirituality critique

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