"The Good Life Method: Reasoning Through the Big Questions of Happiness, Faith, and Meaning" by Meghan Sullivan & Paul Blaschko
Jan 19, 2024
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Philosophers Meghan Sullivan and Paul Blaschko discuss the complexity of happiness and the value of asking meaningful questions. They reflect on the importance of direct attention in relationships and the impact of technology. Stoic philosophy and the pursuit of virtue and reality are also explored as paths to happiness.
True happiness requires effort, hard work, and life experience, and can come from painful or tragic moments.
Asking questions in a curious and collaborative manner, and reflecting on stories, can help us develop better ideas about big life questions.
Deep dives
Happiness is more than a feeling
Happiness is often viewed as a feeling or emotion. However, philosophers like Aristotle challenge this notion and argue that true happiness is a complex state that is achieved through years of effort, hard work, and life experience. Some experiences that contribute the most to our overall happiness can be painful or tragic in the moment. To be truly happy in the philosophical sense, it is important to reflect on the kind of life we need to live and the type of person we need to become.
Asking better questions and the importance of stories
Developing better ideas about big life questions involves learning to ask questions we don't already have the answers to. Rather than engaging in power games and philosophical debates, adopting a model similar to Socrates, we should focus on asking questions in a curious and collaborative manner. Additionally, the stories we tell reveal insights into our virtues and areas where we may fall short. Stories help us understand what's right and wrong and motivate us to take responsibility for our actions and grow in virtue.