Steven M. Cahn

Christine Vitrano

“A phenomenal book that offers innovative and penetrating insights into the most fundamental questions of human concern . . . vivid and enjoyable.”—Dov Weiss, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign How should we evaluate the success of each person’s life? Countering the prevalent philosophical perspective on the subject, Steven M. Cahn and Christine Vitrano defend the view that our well-being is dependent not on particular activities, accomplishments, or awards but on finding personal satisfaction while treating others with due concern. The authors suggest that moral behavior is not necessary for happiness and does not ensure it. Yet they also argue that morality and happiness are needed for living well, and together suffice to achieve that goal. Cahn and Vitrano link their position to elements within both the Hellenistic and Hebraic traditions, in particular the views of Epicurus and lessons found in the Book of Ecclesiastes. Written in an accessible style and illustrated with incisive vignettes drawn from history, literature, films, and everyday life, Happiness and Goodness is a compelling work of philosophy for anyone who seeks to understand the nature of a good life. “Reminds me of a Socratic dialogue. The absence of jargon and use of realistic examples in this book make philosophy accessible to all interested in improving their lives.”—Andrea Tschemplik, American University “This crisply written and incisive book draws on ancient thought and contemporary examples to develop a compelling account of living well.”—David Shatz, Yeshiva University “I can’t remember the last time I read a book about ethics that was so fascinating.”—Ed Lake, deputy editor, Aeon

Philosophical Reflections on Living Well

Happiness and Goodness

How should we evaluate the success of each person's life? Steven M. Cahn and Christine Vitrano maintain that our well-being is dependent not on particular activities, accomplishments, or awards but on finding personal satisfaction while treating others with due concern. Cahn and Vitrano link their position to elements within both the Hellenistic and Hebraic traditions, particularly the views of Epicurus and lessons from the Book of Ecclesiastes.

The Nature and Value of Happiness provides a historic and contemporary overview of the philosophy of happiness, with critical evaluations to help students analyze the material and trace the evolution of a deeply nuanced concept. Addressing how the modern notion of happiness has changed from its ancient origins, Christine Vitrano attempts to clarify the precise value of happiness. This search leads Vitrano to examine topics such as the moral requirements of happiness and whether happiness can be considered the greatest good or simply one good among many. The philosophical theories are presented in a way that is accessible to anyone interested in learning about happiness, regardless of previous philosophical study. All technical terms and concepts are clearly explained, and illustrative examples tied into the text bring the material to life and help establish the relevance of the subject to readers. The ultimate goal is to reach a definition of the nature of happiness that best reflects the way we use the word today. This book is a welcome addition to the growing literature on happiness and is ideal for initiating provocative discussions in courses on happiness and ethics.

The Nature and Value of Happiness

A concise, accessible exploration of both the historical and contemporary theories of happiness

Christine Vitrano

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