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."

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Meaningful work

 LISTEN. Braves win in six. Choppers top Cheaters. Okay, winter's coming quick now. Pitchers and catchers report in about 113 days.

Continuing in CoPhi with Why Grow Up?, we note a "hallmark of modernity" in the reversal of Plato's and Aristotle's preference for contemplation over activity. Those who only sit and think would think better to get up and do something, or make something, or till the earth. Create fungible assets. Invent money. Accumulate capital. Buy and spend, create a tax base.

Or move, at least. Don't just sit there. But of course, peripatetics are also contemplatives. They may or may not be good pursuers of property, but they're excellent pursuers of happiness... (continues)
at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Young Alan Watts

Alan Watts, born on this day in 1915, was in his twenties and living through the second World War of his lifetime when he wrote this beautif...

  • Introductions
    Let's introduce ourselves, fellow Happiness scholars/pursuers. I'm Dr. Oliver, I've been teaching this course in alternate years...
  • Midterm report presentations
    UPDATE, Oct. 2 . The schedule is set. For those who've not declared a topic preference, there's still time. Look in the first four c...
  • Questions (etc.) Aug 26
    Some of these questions will likely turn up (in one form or another) on our first exam at the end of September.  Reply to any of the discuss...