INST 2204 - Happiness and the Good Life

Hours: 3
Examining, from multiple philosophical perspectives, what it is to lead a happy life, how human beings can best achieve that life for themselves, and to what extent philosophy itself can help us be happy. Understanding what various thinkers have said about happiness, as well as figuring out how we can apply these lessons to live happier lives ourselves. Some of the themes the course may address include the connection between a happy life and a life that is meaningful, the relevance of recent scientific work on human happiness, the views of the Stoics and other ancient philosophers, the views of medieval and modern philosophers, Buddhist-inspired approaches to happiness, the importance of ethics in finding a good life. How pursuing the good life for ourselves may involve our commitment to helping other people live good and happy lives.

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INST 2204 - Happiness and the Good Life