NEH Enduring Questions Course on "What is a Happy Society?"

FAIN: AQ-50371-11

Centre College of Kentucky (Danville, KY 40422-1309)
William Weston (Project Director: September 2010 to September 2014)

The development of an upper level course on the question, What is a happy society?

What is a happy society? We will consider answers to this question from classic philosophical arguments and compare them with empirical studies from modern social science. We will first consider answers to this question from classical philosophical arguments (Aristotle, Jeremy Bentham, and John Stuart Mill). Next, we will study Tocqueville?s seminal work examining the birth and early development of a modern society. Finally, we will discuss the findings of new studies such as ?positive psychology? and ?happiness economics? concerning what makes people happy. Within this classical-to-modern context, we will explore the seeming elements of a happy society (e.g. service to others, a culture of trust, familial networks) and the role they play, either singularly or together, in creating a happy society.

Associated Products

Flameside Chat on Happiness with Beau Weston (Web Resource)
Title: Flameside Chat on Happiness with Beau Weston
Author: Centre College (interview of Beau Weston)
Abstract: Streamed live on Oct 7, 2014 Centre College Professor Beau Weston discusses how you can be a happy person by contributing to a happy society.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw1xiowJ5cA
Primary URL Description: Streamed live on Oct 7, 2014 Centre College Professor Beau Weston discusses how you can be a happy person by contributing to a happy society.
Secondary URL: http://www.centre.edu/new-flameside-chats-premiere-with-beau-weston/
Secondary URL Description: A Centre College website article about the Flameside Chat interview with me about my "Happy Society" course and about happiness in general.

Virtue, Happiness, and the Human Good (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Virtue, Happiness, and the Human Good
Author: Beau Weston and Danilo Petranovich
Abstract: Aristotle says happiness is the highest aim of human life, the only end that is not a means to some other end. Happiness, he argues, is ‘an action of the soul in accordance with virtue.’ How can we live a private life that contributes to our happiness? How can we live a public life that contributes to our happiness? This seminar takes a philosophical and sociological approach to these fundamental questions. Readings are drawn from Aristotle, Alexis de Tocqueville, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Jonathan Haidt. Student will engage in practical exercises and propose projects to enhance happiness.
Date Range: June 1-5, 2015
Location: Yale University
Primary URL: http://www.elminstitute.org/virtue-happiness-and-the-human-good/
Primary URL Description: The seminar is open to advanced undergraduates (including graduating seniors) and graduate students with interests in moral philosophy, ethics, politics, and sociology.

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