Mindfulness is celebrated everywhereespecially in health psychology and spiritual practices, but also in the arts, business, education, environmentalism, sports, and the use of digital devices. While the current mindfulness movement may be in part the latest fad in a narcissistic and therapeutic culture, it is also worthy of greater philosophical attention. As a study in ethics and moral psychology,Mindfulness in Good Lives remedies the neglect of this subject within philosophy. Mike W. Martin makes sense of the striking variety of concepts of mindfulness by connecting them to the core idea ofvalue-based mindfulness: paying attention to what matters, in light of relevant values. When the values are sound, mindfulness is a virtue that helps implement the kaleidoscope of values in good lives. Health psychologists, who currently dominate the study of mindfulness, often present their research as value-neutral science. Yet they invariably presuppose moral values that should be made transparent. These values, which lie at the interface of morality and mental health, form bridges between philosophy and psychology, and between literature and spirituality.

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1 Mindfulness Movement

Part One: Making Sense of Mindfulness

Chapter 2 Attending to What Matters

Chapter 3 Living in the Present

Chapter 4 Ways of Attending

Chapter 5 Thoreaus Wakefulness

Part Two: Concepts of Mindfulness

Chapter 6 Meditation and Morality

Chapter 7 Mindful Decision Making

Chapter 8 Mindful Valuing and Psychotherapy

Part Three: Well-Being

Chapter 9 Happiness and Virtues

Chapter 10 Mindful Work in Balanced Lives

Chapter 11 Authenticity andSeize the Day

Chapter 12 Mindfulness Movement Critics

Bibliography

Index

About the Author