The Right Side of History: How Reason and Moral Purpose Made the West Great

by Ben Shapiro

Why have we invested so much meaning, so much time, so much effort in brutal policy fights over seemingly minor matters, when none of it brings us closer to happiness? Why, overall, do the American people seem to be less and less optimistic? Why, by polling data, do nearly three-quarters of Americans say they aren’t confident “life for our children’s generation will be better than it has been for us”—the lowest number in decades?3 Why are a huge plurality of young Americans themselves more fearful than hopeful about the future?4 Why are suicide rates rising dramatically among some of the most materially prosperous segments of society, to rates not seen in thirty years?5 Perhaps the problem is that what we’re pursuing isn’t happiness anymore. We’re instead pursuing other priorities: physical pleasure, emotional catharsis, monetary stability. All these things are important, of course, but they don’t bring lasting happiness.