Fall 2013 Happiness Class Study Questions

Return to Happiness

September 5, 2013

1. Distinguish the Greek philosophical conceptions of happiness in Plato and Aristotle from the Greek cultural conception of happiness.

2. What is Plato's view of happiness?

3. What is Aristotle's view of happiness?

4. How can one use ordinary reflection on experiences of happiness to start theoretical reflection?

September 10

1. Follow major concepts introduced by Haidt, such as: adaptation, hedonic treadmill, set point theory, maximizers vs. satisficers.

2. What is Haidt's happiness formula and how might if be justified given his perspective?

3. What are "top down and bottom up theories" of LS? How do researchers try to assess this, according to Schimmack?

4. What role might "positive illusions" play in top down theories?

5. What are some explanations of the independence of NA and PA, according to Schimmack?

6. How are measurements, hypotheses, and constructs related?