About the book
In the first section of this volume, the essayists begin by discussing happiness as a form of tranquility, desire, and blessedness. The second section deals with happiness in three major religious traditions: Jewish, Buddhist, and Confucian. The final section of In Pursuit of Happiness not only discusses happiness as a necessary component for knowledge, but includes a light-hearted philosophical essay that focuses on the long-ago baseball rivalry between the Cubs and the Red Sox.
Happiness is a paradoxical thing. In our heart of hearts we all want to be happy, but we do not talk much about it, lest we seem sentimental or too optimistic. But what would happiness be like if we could find it? In the first section of this volume, the essayists begin by discussing happiness as a form of tranquility, desire, and blessedness. Charles L. Griswold provides a brief survey of the Western literature and concludes that tranquility is the definition of happiness. Margaret R. Miles emphasizes the role of the body in human happiness, turning to Augustine for an understanding of happiness as desire, and Huston Smith reflects on blessedness, beginning with a philosophical analysis of human experience and concluding with a theological affirmation about transcendence.
The second section deals with happiness in three major religious traditions. Michael Fishbane articulates the dynamic tensions between law and spirit in which the Jewish sense of spiritual joy is generated. Robert A. F. Thurman's essay on \"The Buddha's Smile\" claims that enlightenment is happiness in the Buddhist tradition. Tu Wei-ming discusses the Confucian view of happiness, noting that \"the fundamental concern of the Confucian tradition is learning to be human.\"
The third section deals with various issues regarding the meaning and even the uses of happiness. Leroy S. Rouner explores the thesis that ecstasy, the ultimate form of human happiness, is the necessary context for a certain type of knowledge. Ruth L. Smith presents a dialogue with Reinhold Niebuhr, exploring the relationship between happiness and what Niebuhr called \"the uneasy conscience.\" William M. Sullivan examines the possibility of happiness inherent in the promise of professionalism. And James R. Langford provides a light-hearted philosophical piece on happiness that focuses on the long-ago baseball rivalry between the Cubs and the Red Sox.
Editions of In Pursuit of Happiness
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780268011741
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9516518
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780268031589
- PDF
- ISBN 9780268082611
Read an Excerpt
In the first section of this volume, the essayists begin by discussing happiness as a form of tranquility, desire, and blessedness. The second section deals with happiness in three major religious traditions: Jewish, Buddhist, and Confucian. The final section of In Pursuit of Happiness not only discusses happiness as a necessary component for knowledge, but includes a light-hearted philosophical essay that focuses on the long-ago baseball rivalry between the Cubs and the Red Sox.
Happiness is a paradoxical thing. In our heart of hearts we all want to be happy, but we do not talk much about it, lest we seem sentimental or too optimistic. But what would happiness be like if we could find it? In the first section of this volume, the essayists begin by discussing happiness as a form of tranquility, desire, and blessedness. Charles L. Griswold provides a brief survey of the Western literature and concludes that tranquility is the definition of happiness. Margaret R. Miles emphasizes the role of the body in human happiness, turning to Augustine for an understanding of happiness as desire, and Huston Smith reflects on blessedness, beginning with a philosophical analysis of human experience and concluding with a theological affirmation about transcendence.
The second section deals with happiness in three major religious traditions. Michael Fishbane articulates the dynamic tensions between law and spirit in which the Jewish sense of spiritual joy is generated. Robert A. F. Thurman's essay on \"The Buddha's Smile\" claims that enlightenment is happiness in the Buddhist tradition. Tu Wei-ming discusses the Confucian view of happiness, noting that \"the fundamental concern of the Confucian tradition is learning to be human.\"
The third section deals with various issues regarding the meaning and even the uses of happiness. Leroy S. Rouner explores the thesis that ecstasy, the ultimate form of human happiness, is the necessary context for a certain type of knowledge. Ruth L. Smith presents a dialogue with Reinhold Niebuhr, exploring the relationship between happiness and what Niebuhr called \"the uneasy conscience.\" William M. Sullivan examines the possibility of happiness inherent in the promise of professionalism. And James R. Langford provides a light-hearted philosophical piece on happiness that focuses on the long-ago baseball rivalry between the Cubs and the Red Sox.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is In Pursuit of Happiness about?
In the first section of this volume, the essayists begin by discussing happiness as a form of tranquility, desire, and blessedness. The second section deals with happiness in three major religious traditions: Jewish, Buddhist, and Confucian. The final section of In Pursuit of Happiness not only discusses happiness as a necessary component for knowledge, but includes a light-hearted philosophical essay that focuses on the long-ago baseball rivalry between the Cubs and the Red Sox.
Happiness is a paradoxical thing. In our heart of hearts we all want to be happy, but we do not talk much about it, lest we seem sentimental or too optimistic. But what would happiness be like if we could find it? In the first section of this volume, the essayists begin by discussing happiness as a form of tranquility, desire, and blessedness. Charles L. Griswold provides a brief survey of the Western literature and concludes that tranquility is the definition of happiness. Margaret R. Miles emphasizes the role of the body in human happiness, turning to Augustine for an understanding of happiness as desire, and Huston Smith reflects on blessedness, beginning with a philosophical analysis of human experience and concluding with a theological affirmation about transcendence.
The second section deals with happiness in three major religious traditions. Michael Fishbane articulates the dynamic tensions between law and spirit in which the Jewish sense of spiritual joy is generated. Robert A. F. Thurman's essay on \"The Buddha's Smile\" claims that enlightenment is happiness in the Buddhist tradition. Tu Wei-ming discusses the Confucian view of happiness, noting that \"the fundamental concern of the Confucian tradition is learning to be human.\"
The third section deals with various issues regarding the meaning and even the uses of happiness. Leroy S. Rouner explores the thesis that ecstasy, the ultimate form of human happiness, is the necessary context for a certain type of knowledge. Ruth L. Smith presents a dialogue with Reinhold Niebuhr, exploring the relationship between happiness and what Niebuhr called \"the uneasy conscience.\" William M. Sullivan examines the possibility of happiness inherent in the promise of professionalism. And James R. Langford provides a light-hearted philosophical piece on happiness that focuses on the long-ago baseball rivalry between the Cubs and the Red Sox.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in In Pursuit of Happiness?
Philosophy and Religion > Religion and beliefs > Aspects of religion > Spirituality and religious experience
Where can I read a sample of In Pursuit of Happiness?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780268011741
Is In Pursuit of Happiness part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?
Yes it is a part of series Boston University Studies in Philosophy and Religion
Who is/are the Author/s of the book In Pursuit of Happiness?
University of Notre Dame Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
In Pursuit of Happiness is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780268011741) and hardcover(ISBN 9516518) and paperback(ISBN 9780268031589) and pdf(ISBN 9780268082611)
Where can I buy In Pursuit of Happiness online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy In Pursuit of Happiness from below
Where can I buy In Pursuit of Happiness?