Made for Happiness: Discovering the Meaning of Life with Aristotle

by Jean Vanier, Kathryn Spink

Overview

In Made for Happiness, Jean Vanier offers an uplifting, contemporary, and practical application of philosophy to human needs and yearnings. Inviting readers to look with fresh eyes at theories of happiness written over two millennia ago, Vanier builds on the philosophical work of his youth as he examines the basis for modern moral philosophy and its role in people's lives today.
The book uncovers useful links between psychology, spirituality, and morality: psychology helps readers face their fears and limitations; spirituality gives them strength; and morality helps them to choose the best actions - those that will increase their happiness, and thus their humanity. The combination of these paths to knowledge and wisdom gives meaning to people's lives and allows them to make the best use of their freedom on their way to that most elusive but always obtainable quality—happiness.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780887846694
Publisher:	House of Anansi Press
Publication date:	03/28/2005
Edition description:	Translatio
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jean Vanier is the son of former governor general Georges Vanier, and founder of L'Arche, an international network of communities for people with developmental disabilities. He has written a number of books, including Becoming Human (the 1999 CBC Massey Lectures), Finding Peace, Made for Happiness, Encountering the Other, and Befriending the Stranger. Jean lives in Trosly-Breuil, France.

Read an Excerpt

Many of Aristotle’s principles are valid for any ethics. Being human doesn’t mean simply obeying laws that come form outside, but attaining maturity. Being human means becoming as perfectly accomplished as possible. If we do not become perfectly accomplished, something is lost to the whole of humanity. For Aristotle this accomplishment derives from the exercise of the most perfect activity: that of seeking truth in all things, shunning lies and illusions, acting in accordance with justice, transcending oneself to act for the good of others in society.

Table of Contents

	Introduction	ix
	The Ethics of Desire	1
	Pleasure and Friendship: The Spice of Life	37
	The Hunger for Truth	77
	Virtues Great and Small	109
	The Time for Growth	141
	The Shortcomings and the Value of Aristotelian Ethics	179
	Notes	199
	Acknowledgements	205