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."

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

A final note to the class of Fall 2021

It's been a pleasure meeting and talking with you all this semester. Be happy in 2022 and beyond, keep enjoyment in balance with satisfaction and purpose. Don't miss the joy. Hope to see some of you in class again soon.

If you didn't or can't post your final report, email it directly to me: phil.oliver@mtsu.edu.

(Tom, I had to revert your post to draft, it wouldn't format correctly. Maybe you can fix that and re-post.)

This course is scheduled to return in the Fall of 2023. Meanwhile, feel free to revisit this site and post whatever you'd care to share.

One more thing...

More good words from Monty Python:
“You know, one day, when I was a little boy, my mother she took me on her knee and she said: 'Gaston, my son. The world is a beautiful place. You must go into it, and love everyone, not hate people. You must try and make everyone happy, and bring peace and contentment everywhere you go.' And so... I became a waiter...”
― Monty Python, The Meaning of Life
A friend writes: “I’m having a heavy desire to simplify, to need and want less, to have less, and to try and do some good, to help out my neighbor along the way. Try and make it matter that I was ever here in the first place. ‘Cause there has to be a reason or what’s the point? So I’m wondering where I’m bound, what it matters and what’s the point.
”Well, it’s nothing very special. Uh, try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations." 
Also, remember that you’re standing on a planet that's evolving

"Keep your health, your splendid health. It's worth all the truths in the firmament." WJ

7 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. Gary, it was great having you in class (and at Happy Hour), your contributions were consistently strong and your perspective is insightful. Happy too to make another Hohenwald connection. Let's keep in touch.

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    2. Gary, your enthusiasm for the class came through in your writings, happy hour, and even on the videos. Thank you for that!!! It proved to be inspiring, in many ways!

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  2. Being able to participate in this class was delightful in many ways. I am a better person for having interacted with you as a teacher and all my classmates. I found inspiration in many of the readings and a desire to explore even beyond what was assigned. Thank you all.

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  3. Thank you again Dr. Oliver for another amazing class. Looking forward to Bioethics in the spring!

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You don’t need a pill: Neo

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness True happiness is... to enjoy the present, without anxious dependen...