When Thomas Jefferson placed 'the pursuit of happiness' along with life and liberty in The Declaration of Independence he was most likely referring to Aristotle's concept of happiness, or eudaimonia. Eudaimonia is not about good feelings but rather the fulfilment of human potentials. Fulfilment is made possible by virtue; the moderation of desire and emotion by reason. The Psychology of Happiness was the first book to bring together psychological, philosophical, and physiological theory and research in support of Aristotle's view. It examines the similarity between Aristotle's concept of virtue and modern cognitive theories of emotion. It discusses the discovery of human potentials, the development of virtue and its neurological basis, the mistaken idea that fulfilment is selfish, and several other issues related to the pursuit of a good human life.
• Written for a non professional readership presenting Aristotle's ideas and psychological theory in a straightforward, uncomplicated style, free of philosophical and psychological jargon • No other previous book reviewed Aristotle's ideas on happiness and supports them with contemporary psychological theory and research • Offers a theoretical and empirical analysis of Aristotle's concept of virtue which lies at the heart of his ethical writings
Contents
1. What is happiness; 2. Happiness as fulfillment; 3. Aristotle's ethics; 4. Actualization: psychological views; 5. Knowing thyself; 6. The things we need to be happy: the relativity of goods and the golden mean; 7. Introduction to virtue; 8. Some of the more important virtues; 9. Virtue and emotion; 10. Early psychological views of virtue and emotion; 11. Virtue and emotion: recent psychological views; 12. The physiological basis of virtue; 13. Emotional intelligence; 14. The development of virtue according to Aristotle; 15. Psychological views of virtue development; 16. The polis and actualization; 17. Contemplation: another kind of happiness.
Review
'Franklin … reaches his own synthesis of Aristotle's philosophy and scientific psychology. This means that this book is suited for at least two audiences. It is an excellent introduction to Aristotle's philosophy and the ideas in psychology, which are relevant for thinking about the good life. Above that it is interesting for people who look for a synthesis in the burgeoning field of happiness research, and who do not like the hedonistic variants of happiness.' Ad Bergsma, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Printer friendly version