ATS3885 · History of philosophy: Happiness

Overview

This unit examines different philosophical approaches to the question: How can I be happy? From ancient times to the present, philosophers have offered guidance on how human beings might attain an enduring state of well-being or flourishing. In the Hellenistic period, some proposed that the key to such happiness was freedom from mental disturbance and pain, while others recommended a life of complete emotional detachment. In the early modern era, philosophers argued that the solution lay with either calming the emotions or turning them into excellences of character, such as benevolence and self-esteem. In this unit, we analyse the moral, epistemological, and metaphysical dimensions of the topic of happiness across different periods in the history of philosophy.

Areas of study: Philosophy

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. discuss the history of moral philosophy, especially arguments to do with the attainment of happiness;
2. reflect on some historical precedents to contemporary moral debates;
3. critically analyse and evaluate philosophical texts;
4. evaluate philosophical arguments in their original historical-intellectual context;
5. communicate philosophical arguments orally and in writing.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.