Philosophy and Happiness
It's an intense world, so much pressure, so much going on. Where do you find contentment in the midst of all this? Philosophy has a lot to say about happiness. What's more, it provides a road map.
The next term of practical philosophy is devoted to happiness. Enjoy the good company of philosophic friends on a journey of discovery, to the source of true satisfaction.
Tuesday evenings at 7.15pm — please contact the branch for the next start date.
This course will be delivered in a hybrid format of six online and five in-person sessions. Plus an in-person Practice & Study Day at Waterperry House (date confirmed when you enrol).
- In-person sessions run from 7.15pm until 9.30pm
- Online sessions are held via Zoom, 7.15pm - 8.45pm
- In-person course venue: Sixth Form Centre, St Albans Girls' School, Sandridgebury Lane, St Albans, AL3 6DB. The venue has ample free parking. Tea, coffee, and biscuits included.
- Accessible, ground floor meeting room
Fees and enrolment
All eleven sessions plus Study & Practice Day: £90.
Please contact the branch to enrol — philosophystalbans@fses.org.
Pay monthly by direct debit (£22.50 per month for four payments, £90). Download, print, complete and send the direct debit form.
Session dates and the Practice & Study Day are confirmed when you enrol with the branch.
Practice & Study Day at Waterperry House and Gardens, near Wheatley, Oxford (about 60 minutes from St Albans): a practical and quiet day of mindful work in kitchen, house or garden, plus an elective study session. Coffee/tea and vegetarian lunch included; organised with neighbouring branches; ample free parking.
What equipment do I need?
The course is delivered through a combination of in-person and online meetings plus an audio-visual study module, issued a week before each meeting. This means you need a device such as a PC or laptop with speaker, microphone and camera so that you can (a) watch and listen to the modules and (b) join the online meetings via Zoom. Printed materials are not provided, but a weekly Practices sheet can be downloaded and printed at home.
Course topics
What is true happiness? Is this natural to a man or woman? How may it be experienced fully and how is it lost? Is it permanent or transient?
What is the effect of gaining happiness at the expense of another person’s happiness? Is such happiness true and lasting?
Happiness and service. Is happiness natural?
Happiness and law; Happiness and utilitarianism; Happiness and pleasure, Epicurus, Aristippus, Plato
The Platonic goods which lead to happiness
An introduction to Marsilio Ficino, Lao Tzu, finding inner equilibrium
Happiness: contentment, Patanjali
Finding happiness in work Happiness and wisdom
Mindful Working practical session