The Philosophy of HAPPINESS (!) — From Buddha to Brain Scans! We will explore...
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“The Philosophy of Happiness (!) — From Buddha to Brain Scans”
Meaning, Pleasure, Discipline, Faith, and What It Means to Live Well
Everyone wants to be happy—but no one seems to agree on what that actually means. Is happiness inner peace or external success? Pleasure or purpose? Detachment, discipline, faith, or self-optimization? Across history, cultures, and now science, radically different answers compete for our attention.
This isn’t a self-help workshop or a mindfulness class. It’s a philosophical conversation about happiness as an idea, a practice, and a social goal.
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Topics we’ll touch on:
- Buddha and the end of suffering: desire, attachment, and liberation
- Stoicism: control, resilience, and emotional discipline
- Hedonism: pleasure, limits, and whether “more” ever satisfies
- Religion and happiness: salvation, meaning, and transcendence
- Modern self-help: empowerment, illusion, or coping strategy?
- What does science say? Brains, dopamine, habits, and well-being data
- Can a society be “happy”—and should happiness be a political goal?
- And finally… is happiness something to pursue, cultivate, accept—or stop chasing altogether?
Casual discussion. No philosophical or scientific background required—just curiosity and lived experience. Whether you feel content, restless, skeptical, or searching—you’re not alone.
Let’s explore happiness not as a slogan—but as one of humanity’s oldest and hardest questions.