Tme

1/18/2011

Classical Models

Aristotle, Nichomachean Ethics, Book 1

• hierarchy of arts, chief good chosen for its own sake, politics the master art.

• the lives of pleasure, honor (political), and contemplative compared.

• note implicit criteria for happiness: p. 3 good not easily taken from us.

• mere possession of virture not enough for happiness? why?

• Section 6 has a digression on Plato's theory of forms -- wants to argue against "form of the good" - note consequence for happiness.

• Section 7: argument turns toward the connection of the good with "ends" (telos) and final ends, that for which all else is done.

• Search for telos of man. Working from our "rational psychology" (bot of p. 6). "human good turns out to be activity of soul in accordance with virtue.

• Aristotle's list: (in addition to fulfilling your function, happiness includes:) friends, power, good birth, good children, beauty, prosperity, fortune. Note: what problem does this list solve in A's theory?

• Note how A thinks of true happiness as a "state change" (p. 9, bot) and as divine (p. 11). relates to topic in McMahon p. 49 -- ultimately the contemplative life is most blessed and happiest.

McMahon, Classical Models, ch.1

• major historical theme in Greek thought: movement from recognition of happiness (and celebration of it) as a condition, to consideration of our power to realize it through careful thought and discipline.

• note in the discussion of Dionysian ritual and Symposium

• presence of "robust hedonism" in culture of happiness.
• fundamental opposition of Platonic thought to pleasures of the body as a sig. component of happiness.

• Surgery for the Soul -- transition to Hellenistic schools (post-Socratic)

• Zeno for Stoicism
• Epicurus for Epicureanism
• Key points: Concept of philosophy as therapeutic and engaging emotions and cognition; working out of problem of "sufficiency of virtue" and "theory of pleasure."

Small Group Work

Develop conjectures, arguments, and lines of reasoning for the following Aristotelian (and broadly classical) idea:

If happiness is real, then its possession by an individual involves a relatively permanent change such that it is not easily lost.

Evaluate this Aristotelian idea:

Your nature (your function) will guide you toward happiness.

Contemporary Research

Haidt, Happiness Hypothesis, ch. 5

• Major theme -- happiness as internal or external pursuit.

• Buddha and Epictetus take a relatively "internal" path. Haidt suggests research shows this to be somewhat extreme -- there are things to strive for outside of yourself, happiness in the journey ("progress principle") "Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing."

• Haidt's list of happiness makers and unmakers(correlates and major causes)

• Adaptation, hedonic treadmill, set point theory, Bob and Mary comparison: relationship, meaningfulness. Bob's list more susceptible to adaptation. understanding lack of adaptation for cosmetic surgery. what's shallow vs. what matters.
• from 92f: Noise, Commuting, Shame, conflict,

• Happiness Formula

• H = Set point + Conditions + Voluntary action
• "It is vain to say that human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquility: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it." (Charlotte Bronte, 1847)

• Complicating factors

• Flow and Seligman's strengths test www.authentichappiness.org
• Comparisons and biases.
• Schwartz maximizers and satisficers.

Schimmack, "The Structure of SWB"

• Review basic diagram on p. 98.

• bottom up vs. top down --
• problems of measurement -- "shared method variance"
• more sophisticated model -- domain importance

• What could explain variance in LS besides DS?

• Positive illusions
• Money
• "direct evidence" of bottom up theory -- 106

• PA and NA

• structural, causal, and momentary

Small Group Work

If Haidt and Schimmack are roughly right in their accounts of happiness and the structure of subjective well-being, then what sorts of activities and choices start to look more or less important in the pursuit of happiness?