This research paper analyzes the function of speech acts and their inherent
moral values in Robert Waldinger’s TED Talk, “What Makes a Good Life?”
Lessons from the Most Prolonged Research on Happiness. This research uses
qualitative content analysis to examine the speech acts employed by the speaker
and investigate the moral values encapsulated within them. The findings indicate
three illocutionary acts: representational, directive, and expressive, with
representatives being the most predominant since they communicate factual
information and insights derived from a 75-year Harvard study on happiness. The
research delineates many moral values, classified according to Linda and Eyre’s
paradigm of “Value of Being” and “Value of Giving.” These encompass the virtues
of capability, bravery, fidelity, reliability, love, compassion, benevolence, and
amicability. The analysis implies that cultivating meaningful relationships
markedly improves well-being and life happiness. This research emphasizes the
convergence of pragmatics, public discourse, and ethical implications, providing
insights into the influence of rhetoric on behavioral transformation and the
impartation of significant life lessons. The results enhance the comprehension of
how successful communication impacts personal development, social engagement,
and mental well-being, providing a valuable resource for linguistics, psychology,
and communication studies scholars.