Midterm

Fall 2013 Dr. Mark Alfino Philosophy Department

Midterm Exam – Philosophy 419 – Happiness

Answer 8 of the following 10 questions in the space indicated. You may not skip a question marked with an asterisk (*).

1. Explain Haidt’s happiness formula, citing some of his support for it. (1 par)

2. Identify one of the significant results from cross cultural study of happiness. (2-3 sentences)

3. How does Patanjali’s Yoga model an approach to happiness? Present his view from a contemporary psychological standpoint. (1 par)

4. Reconstruct the Buddhist explanation for suffering, then offer a brief critique, identifying both insights and difficulties, from your perspective. (2 par)

5. Why aren’t Epicureans “robust” hedonists ? (3 sentences)

6. *What aspects of Enlightenment ideas about happiness do you self-identify with? Are there any that you see difficulties with from your current historical perspective?

7. How does our experience after an event affect our judgement of the event. Give two research examples. (3 sentences)

8. How is objective research on happiness possible given the difficulties in objectivity Gilbert identifies? (1 par)

9. Are there really two levels of activity in romantic love relationships – one governed by evolution and the other by the “culture of love”? (1 long paragraph )

10. *Explain de Botton’s view of status anxiety, identifying points of agreement and disagreement along with your own reasoning. (1 long paragraph)