Spring 2011 Happiness Class Class Notes 1

Return to Happiness

1/11/2011

This was our introductory class, so most of the time was spent on course mechanics.

We did discuss a few points about philosophical method and we looked at the distinction between State Happiness and Life Happiness, which we'll see again in the happiness research as the difference between Affect and Life Satisfaction.

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 how A thinks of true happiness as a "state change" (p. 9, bot) and as divine (p. 11)

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."