PHIL 3160 – Philosophy of Happiness
What is it, how can we best pursue it, why should we? Supporting the study of these and related questions at Middle Tennessee State University and beyond. "Examining the concept of human happiness and its application in everyday living as discussed since antiquity by philosophers, psychologists, writers, spiritual leaders, and contributors to pop culture."
'This is Adam Smith from Oxford, England. Hi Adam, welcome to the Dave Ramsey Show.'
ReplyDelete'Hi Dave. This is more celebratory than anything else, but I'm 22 with a bachelor's in Classical Philosophy. I only had taken out a couple of grand worth of loans (I was mostly on scholarship), and I just finished paying them off this month.'
'That's fantastic! Good on you! Do you want to do the debt-free scream?'
'I was hoping to! Here it goes: I'M DEBT FREEEEEEEEEE!!!!'
'Now what are you gonna do about a job? Philosophy doesn't do to much for ya there.'
'Well, my mother knows some people, and I might end up giving lectures back at my old school or something, who knows...'
(Attense)
Adam did okay, like his pal Hume who said "Be a philosopher, but be still a man."
DeletePhilosophers are more employable than our pop culture knows, at least in fields that reward creativity, flexibility, and critical acuity.
The happiness of being debt-free is much of what the Epicureans were (as they say in Oxford) on about.
I do like the simplistic goals Smith poses for a happier life though it could seem benign to some. But I do find myself becoming more relieved in my life when contrasting it with others who either have physical or mental conditions that paralyze the idea of living a "normal" life as we know it. Whether it be debilitating forms of Tourettes or losing your face in a freak accident, these people find ways to cope and deal with the ever-present reminder of their differences. It inspires me and reminds me to appreciate having the ability to sleep at night with relative ease.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a companion could be added since it is human nature to find a mate.
ReplyDelete