Agency as an Engine of Human Progress | Martin Seligman

*What makes civilizations stagnate or flourish?* Martin Seligman argues that agency combines efficacy, optimism, and imagination, then explores how evidence from psychology, historical writing, and AI analysis can be used to investigate its relationship with human progress. 0:00 When Societies Stagnate or Flourish 4:11 Efficacy, Optimism, and Imagination 6:39 From Learned Helplessness to Efficacy 10:26 Optimism and Persistence 13:44 Imagination, Intuition, and Creativity 24:08 From Individual Psychology to Civilizational History *Martin E.P. Seligman* is the Zellerbach Family Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and Director of the Penn Positive Psychology Center. A leading figure in positive psychology, his research focuses on well-being, resilience, learned helplessness, optimism, and depression. *More from Martin Seligman on Closer To Truth:* * Closer To Truth contributor page: https://closertotruth.com/contributor/martin-seligman/ *Subscribe to Closer To Truth:* https://www.youtube.com/@CloserToTruthTV *Join the Community:* * Membership (5,000+ videos): https://closertotruth.com/register/ * Audio Podcast: https://closertotruth.podbean.com * Support the Show: https://closertotruth.com/donate/ * Official Merchandise: https://www.bonfire.com/store/closertotruth/ *Follow Us:* * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CloserToTruthTV/ * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/closertotruth/ * X: https://twitter.com/CloserToTruth Closer To Truth, created and hosted by Robert Lawrence Kuhn, presents the world's greatest thinkers exploring humanity's deepest questions. Discover fundamental issues of existence and sentience. Engage new and diverse ways of thinking. Appreciate intense debates. Share your own opinions. Seek your own answers. #CloserToTruth #MartinSeligman #HumanAgency #HumanProgress