Philosophical Investigations: The Greatest Happiness Principle Course/Class January 21, 2011

Some philosophers argue that happiness is a matter of cultivating or maximising pleasure or of avoiding pain and suffering; some stress the pursuit of happiness (but then, what of the attainment?) Some believe that lasting happiness is unattainable and illusory and that we are better off focussing on other things, like helping those who are less fortunate than ourselves. Some argue that it is a matter of well being or of excellence and a kind of flourishing; others argue that it is a question of duties, maxims and a kind of reverence or a question of power and relationships of various kinds. Is it possible then to speak of a greatest happiness principle? If so, what sort of principle would this be? And what forms of happiness would it encompass, if any? Join us in this fully illustrated day and find out!

Official Website: http://www.cce.usyd.edu.au/course/pitg