From beginner-friendly introductions to comprehensive textbooks on happiness, this page features books to suit any learning style. It’s important to note that there is no single best book on happiness. The best book for you will depend heavily on your preferred learning style and the amount of time/energy you’re willing to spend reading. It’s also worth noting that it is not a list of personal recommendations. Personal book recommendations tend to be highly subjective, idiosyncratic, and unreliable. This list is part of a collection of over 100 philosophy reading lists …
The Science and Philosophy of Happiness: A Collection of Videos, Articles, and Podcasts
This page contains a collection of resources on the science and philosophy of happiness. It is aimed at beginners who want to learn more about happiness and teachers who are looking for beginner-friendly resources to supplement course readings. When looking for information on a new topic, some people are looking for a short beginner-friendly overview. Others prefer in-depth and more academic articles. Some people prefer to watch videos. Others prefer listening to podcasts. This collection of resources aims to make learning about the science and philosophy of happiness as easy …
The Misery of Tyrants – a short reading from Plato’s Republic
“He who is the real tyrant, whatever men may think, is the real slave, and is obliged to practise the greatest adulation and servility, and to be the flatterer of the vilest of mankind.” In this passage from book nine of Plato’s Republic, Socrates finally responds to the challenge set by Glaucon in book two; speaking as devil’s advocate, Glaucon claimed that people want nothing to restrict their desire for more and more of everything. If anyone could profit from acting unjustly and guarantee that they could get away with …
The Ring of Gyges and the Advantages of Injustice – a short reading from Plato’s Republic
“Gods and men are said to unite in making the life of the unjust better than the life of the just.” This passage from Book II of Plato’s Republic raises a number of questions about human nature and the nature of justice: Is the life of the unjust man happier than man who is just? Are people inherently selfish? Is justice good for it’s own sake or because it leads to good consequences? What exactly is justice? The two speakers in this section of the dialogue are Glaucon and Socrates. …