What is happiness? Is it found in pleasure? In reputation? In money? Or maybe it’s something inherently subjective and undefinable? This class will explore the answer proposed by the Greek philosopher Aristotle in the Nicomachean Ethics, perhaps the most influential philosophical ethical treatise in the West. Interestingly, Aristotle argues that happiness is something you can be wrong about - you can think you’re happy and be wrong. Relatedly, as we’ll see, Aristotle thinks that happiness has an inescapably objective dimension - it involves how you feel but isn’t just about how you feel. As we’ll also explore, Aristotle thinks that virtue - moral character - is essential for happiness. Finally, we’ll suggest reasons for thinking Aristotle is onto something enduring and important in his explorations on happiness.

Tuesday, May 12 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
In person and simulcast