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Explore Happiness and the Good Life this Fall

Are you interested in exploring a variety of ideas regarding what “the good life” might be as well as different perspectives on happiness? 

Philosophers generally take “the good life” to be a life of human flourishing, a life that is meaningful, satisfying and fulfilling.  But what does such a life require?

One prominent (and popular) answer is that the good life is a happy life.  But what is happiness?  Many different conceptions of happiness, as well as different ideas about how to achieve happiness, have been proposed over the years.  And not everyone believes the happy life is synonymous with the good life.  Some thinkers have even argued that making happiness a focus or goal in one’s life is a serious mistake (and likely to result in less happiness).

There is a tremendous amount of interesting material to explore in this area.  Participants in the course will investigate ideas from thinkers of all sorts — philosophers, scientists, psychiatrists, psychologists, poets, historians, playwrights and more.

If this sounds good to you, then sign up for PHL 298 Happiness and the Good Life for fall 2022.  In-person discussions will be held from noon to 12:50 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays with asynchronous work for Fridays.  Honors credit is available if desired.

Contact Dr. Paul at linda.paul@wilkes.edu for more information.