The Philosophy Of Happiness

What the Ancient Thinkers Knew About Being Happy: Lessons from Stoicism, Buddhism, The Enlightenment and More

What you'll learn

Learn how the great thinkers of history thought about happiness

Study interesting stories about Aristotle, Epicurus, The Buddha, Marcus Aurelius, Thomas Aquinas, Voltaire, and Nietzsche

Learn 7 timeless ways to be a happier person

Learn about philosophers and what they thought about our lives

Requirements

None - open to all!

Description

What does it truly mean to be happy? Is it about pleasure, purpose, or something deeper? For thousands of years, the world’s greatest thinkers—from Aristotle to the Stoics, from the Buddha to modern psychologists—have sought to answer this question. Now, you can learn from their wisdom and apply it to your own life.In this engaging and accessible 4-hour course, we’ll explore timeless philosophies of happiness and how they can help us navigate today’s challenges. You’ll gain insight into Aristotle’s concept of eudaimonia—a life of fulfillment through virtue—and discover how Epicurus’ simple pleasures hold surprising relevance in an age of overconsumption. We’ll dive into Stoicism’s resilience-based approach to happiness, learning how to focus on what we can control, and uncover the Buddhist path to contentment through mindfulness and detachment. Along the way, we’ll see how Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire viewed the concept of mind over matter, and how existentialist thinkers like Nietzsche and Sartre tackled meaning in an unpredictable world and explore modern psychology’s research-backed strategies for happiness. But this isn’t just about theory—each module provides practical exercises and thought-provoking reflection questions to help you apply these lessons in real life. You’ll learn how to build habits that foster long-term happiness, rethink your relationship with pleasure and suffering, and craft your own personal philosophy of happiness.By the end of this course, you won’t just understand happiness—you’ll have the tools to live it.Perfect for anyone seeking deeper meaning, greater resilience, and practical strategies for a more fulfilling life.No prior philosophy knowledge required—just an open mind.Are you ready to unlock ancient wisdom for modern happiness? Let’s get started!

Overview

Section 1: Introduction

Lecture 1 Introduction

Section 2: What the Great Thinkers Taught Us About Happiness

Lecture 2 Aristotle

Lecture 3 Epicurus

Lecture 4 Marcus Aurelius and the Stoics

Lecture 5 Thomas Aquinas

Lecture 6 Buddhism

Lecture 7 Voltaire and the Enlightenment

Lecture 8 Nietzsche and the Existentialists

Section 3: Themes: What Did We Learn Creates Happiness?

Lecture 9 Conclusion and Themes

Anyone curious about happiness,Novice or intermediate philosophy enthusiasts,Anyone on a self-improvement journey