There's been a lot of research into positive psychology over the past few decades.

Hardcore neuroscience has documented the benefits of mindfulness meditation.

Psychedelics are poised to become mainstream treatments for depression and PTSD.

But what about on a larger scale beyond individual human happiness? Could your or my personal

well-being contribute to the greater good? I'm Anne Strain Champs, and that's our subject this

week. Steve and I are headed back to the Island of Knowledge think tank in Tuscany. Keep listening.

From WPR.

It's to the best of our knowledge. I'm Anne Strain Champs.

And I'm Steve Paulson, and we're back in Italy for another meeting at the Island of Knowledge,

the think tank in the hills of Tuscany.

The topic this time is human flourishing. And right now we're watching people do exactly that.

It's a breezy Saturday morning in the Piazza del Campo,

the medieval main square in Siena.

People are out, walking dogs, having coffee.

Parents are chatting as a dozen or so toddlers

chase balloons and toss confetti at each other.

Looks like a birthday party.

We can hear the sound of drumming in the distance.

People practicing for the polio, the huge pageant and horse race that takes place every year

right here in the campo.

But there's another more contemplative side to Siena,

because this is also a city of pilgrims.

...