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."

Monday, July 22, 2024

Too soon to tell?

It used to be that there was a clear enough pattern of happiness, dependent on the stage of life and the responsibilities, expectations and understanding one had at each point. It certainly made a lot of sense:
 


The news today, however, is that the youth – those under 30 – are extremely unhappy. But how should we measure happiness? How can we encourage it? And is it possible to truly know if we are happy... while we are still alive?
...

...Is it true that a fulfilled life can only be measured once everything is said and done? Many of the classical thinkers certainly thought so. Solon was not arguing that men like Tellus and Biton were happier in death than in life. He was not referring to the great hereafter.

Solon was arguing that a full accounting of happiness can only be known once the life of a citizen is laid out start to finish. Only then can we see if somebody has achieved virtue, self-sufficiency, and all other good things that the ancients believed to be paramount to a “good life”...

https://substack.com/home/post/p-146883124

Thursday, July 18, 2024

"Happiest Place on Earth"

When Disneyland opened its gates to the public for the first time on this day in 1955, visitors had been waiting in line since 2 a.m. to get inside the "Happiest Place on Earth".

In the first ten weeks, the park hosted more than one million guests, and soon became a favorite spot of visiting foreign dignitaries, from Indian Prime Minister Nehru to the King of Nepal.

https://www.threads.net/@americanexperiencepbs/post/C9ikuLKPrG0/?xmt=AQGzyFgnTbQfUahVRj4_xJzMXUviIgMeSSl6iNsejxl-_A

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Have a nice life

"Our research suggests it's really not acceptable that some people are able to have a pleasant or satisfying time being alive."

https://www.theonion.com/report-it-not-fair-other-people-get-to-enjoy-their-liv-1851573097

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...