Philosophy of (more) Happiness : The secret to life, according to Russell

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

The secret to life, according to Russell

Bertie actually had more interesting things to say about this in his Conquest of Happiness...

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Flynn McNeilSeptember 7, 2023 at 12:32 PM
"The secret to happiness is to face that the world is horrible"
This is such an interesting concept to me. To become happy, we must accept that the world is terrible. Doesn't that seem a tad oxymoronic? I suppose this depends on how we define "accept". Does accepting simply mean to recognize that the world is horrible and to live outside of that fact? Could acceptance be agreeing that the world is horrible and attempting to do something about it? I'm not sure I totally agree with Russell's statement here. I see what he's going for, don't get me wrong, it just sounds horribly pessimistic. What if I don't want to accept that the world is horrible? What if I don't believe that the world is horrible? Will I never attain Russell's "secret to happiness" in these cases? I propose that the secret to happiness is to accept that the world is beautiful. This might be over correcting a bit. I can see where someone could say "well that's just way too optimistic!". As pretentious as this might sound, perhaps that's just how I want to live and see the world. I don't know if I could live happily if I just "accepted that the world is horrible". I'm not saying that I am a pro at seeing the beauty in the world, but sometimes I feel that seeing the terribleness of it all is a bit too easy. Anyone can call out what's wrong with something. I feel that sometimes it takes courage to admire something. The world is certainly fucked, don't get me wrong here. But that doesn't mean we can't admire all of the wonderful things.
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The author of "William James's Springs of Delight: The Return to Life, (VU Press, 2001) " Phil Oliver specializes in the American philosophical tradition with supporting interests in applied ethics (particularly Bioethics and Environmental Ethics), Anglo-American literature, history, humanism, naturalism, science and exploration, peripatetic ("walking & talking") philosophy, baseball, cycling, swimming, the pursuit of happiness, and the perpetual dawn of day. One of his favorite MTSU courses is The Philosophy of Happiness. He is academic advisor for minors in American Culture (American Studies), and a founding board member and current Vice-President of the William James Society. You can follow him on Threads, Instagram (@OSOPHER), Mastodon (@osopher@c.im), Substack (philoliver.substack.com) and on his blogsite Up@dawn (jposopher.blogspot.com) but of course, as Immanuel Kant and Monty Python's Brian Cohen agreed: You don't have to follow anybody. "Sapere aude," have the courage to think for yourself. But not by yourself. Good philosophy collaborates and converses.

Ramble on

"Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)–sometimes referred to as 'winter depression'–usually manifests more during the colder months, the main theory attributing this to lack of sunlight. But there is no surer way to find some peace (and perhaps even joy!) within this complicated season than to confront it head on. If you, like so many others, find yourself dreading the winter, it is time to do something about it–after all, winter does keep coming around... Once again, walking is the answer. Rather than hiding indoors and wishing time away, pull on your boots, hat and a good jacket and start exploring. Remember the wonderful Norwegian saying, 'There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.' Continuing your walking in nature throughout the winter will get you out in the daylight, improve circulation, increase serotonin (that all-important feel-good hormone) and help to regulate sleep and appetite. There are plenty of new locations to discover or old favourites to revisit, winter wildlife to spot and all the fierce weather to enjoy as well as a fresh appreciation of this dramatic season to be gained... Be bold about spending time walking outdoors during winter; you may very well be surprised at the difference it makes to how you feel." — The Rambler's Handbook: A Seasonal Guide to the Best Walking Routes in Britain by The Ramblers' Association https://a.co/9NeGYZR

Clods

Bertrand Russell said "Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind." This splendid credo often reminded me of George Bernard Shaw's equally heroic encyclical: 'This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.' --Alistair Cooke, Six Men

fyi: TEXTS Fall 2021

Happiness: A Very Short Introduction... More Than Happiness: Buddhist and Stoic Wisdom for a Sceptical Age... Epicureanism: A Very Short Introduction... How to Live: Or A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer... Sick Souls, Healthy Minds: How William James Can Save Your Life Also recommended: Enlightenment: The Pursuit of Happiness, 1680-1790... The Art of Happiness, by Epicurus... How to Be an Epicurean: The Ancient Art of Living Well... Stoicism: A Very Short Introduction... The Conquest of Happiness, by Bertrand Russell... William James, tba

Philosophy of (more) Happiness

PHIL 3160 – Philosophy of Happiness

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

The secret to life, according to Russell

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OUP's Guides to the Good Life

"Happiness Hour"

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