A Philosophy of Happiness
by Michael Furstner

Martinshof Story - Awareness - Memories from Spain - Thoughts around Music - My Blog - Jazclass Links
Contents - FREE Download

Michael, October 2009 Introduction
There are (I suggest) two distinct fields of Philosophy : "Philosophy of Knowledge" (science) and "Philosophy of Wisdom". Both use the tools of logical analysis pioneered by the ancient Greek Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, etc.
The Philosophy of Knowledge is based on facts and discoveries of the Natural sciences. (Having a Dutch Doctorandus degree in Geology from Leiden University, I am a qualified and experienced Philosopher of Knowledge.)

The Philosophy of Wisdom on the other hand attempts to define and understand more abstract areas of humanity (morality, politics, happiness) through the path of mental analysis and logic.   Unfortunately the contemporary Philosophy of Wisdom has developped into such a detailed and complex area of analysis that it has become difficult to grasp for anyone but outright experts.

Fortunately there are modern philosophers like André Comte-Sponville and Alain de Botton who have published excellent books on Philosophy which are written in common sense, simple language anyone can understand. I have taken some of their writings as basis for my own contemplations on a Philosophy of Happiness as outlined in the Blog segments below.

I have followed the advice of Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592) that interesting ideas are to be found in every life.

"We may all arrive at wise ideas if we cease to think ourselves as so unsuited to the task because we aren't 2,000 years old, aren't interested in Plato's dialogues and live quietly in the country : You can attach the whole of moral philosophy to a commonplace private life just as well as to one of richer stuff."

Although I have only referred to my own personal experiences during the past 70 years of my life in these pages, I hope that they nevertheless may help you (dear reader) to find practical ways for defining and pursuing your own path towards Happiness.

Contents

Down - Up

  1 - Michel de Montaigne and Michael Furstner : Unhappy ? Don't shoot the messenger

  2 - Epicurus : The essential conditions for achieving Happiness

  3 - Jean-Paul Sartre : Freedom alone is meaningless, you need a Sense of Purpose

  4 - Alain de Botton : Your home is important for your happiness

  5 - Schopenhauer and Nietzsche : What to do about anti-social behavior

  6 - Michael Furstner : Happiness and the Family

  7 - Stendhal : Beauty is the promise of Happiness

  8 - The Economist, John Grinde : Happiness, Health and Evolution

  9 - Alain de Botton : Journeys are the midwives of Thought

10 - Michael Furstner : Happiness and the Four Phases of Life

Down - Up

11 - Bjorn Grinde and Michael Furstner : The path of Emotional Tolerance through Life

12 - The Economist : The U-bend of Life

13 - Michael Furstner : Am I still relevant ?

14 - John Keats, Stendhal, Michael Furstner : Beauty - Truth - Happinens : a 3-dimensional perception

15 - D.H. Lawrence, Michael Furstner : The struggle for one's "Absolute Self"

16 - Michael Furstner : Emotional dynamics around doing a Good Deed


FREE Download of the entire Philosophy of Happiness Series

Version 7 - July 29, 2011

    Installation
  1. Download the appropriate above file onto your computer.

  2. Open the .exe file for PC with a double click
    Open the .sea file for Mac with Stuffit Expander

  3. When prompted type in the Password - 2chapter16

  4. This extracts the folder "Philosophy of Happiness V7"
    Open the folder, then click on the file "happiness.htm"
    This is the access page for all materials

  5. Create a Bookmark or Shortcut to this file for easy access


Comments - Up - Top - Jazclass Links


Copyright © 2010-2011 Michael Furstner