Ideas worth spreading

How to let altruism be your guide

2,391,789 views | Matthieu Ricard • TEDGlobal 2014

What is altruism? Put simply, it's the wish that other people may be happy. And, says Matthieu Ricard, a happiness researcher and a Buddhist monk, altruism is also a great lens for making decisions, both for the short and long term, in work and in life.

What is altruism? Put simply, it's the wish that other people may be happy. And, says Matthieu Ricard, a happiness researcher and a Buddhist monk, altruism is also a great lens for making decisions, both for the short and long term, in work and in life.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

About the speaker

Matthieu Ricard

Matthieu Ricard

Monk, author, photographer

See speaker profile

Sometimes called the "happiest man in the world," Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk, author and photographer.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.