Genealogy of Happiness

William Edelglass, Director of Studies, Barre Center for Buddhist Studies

What is happiness? Can it be measured? And what is the relationship between happiness and virtue, money, pleasure, relationships, mindfulness, and satisfaction? William Edelglass will explore these questions, beginning with an overview of different conceptions of happiness in Western philosophy, religion, and political theory. Edelglass will then take up the numerous claims about what makes us happy based on the results of “the new science of happiness” and will reflect on the findings of positive psychology in the context of the history of the idea of happiness.  Sponsored by the Addison County Retired Educators Association.