The Psychology of Happiness: A Good Human Life

When Thomas Jefferson placed the pursuit of happiness along with life and liberty in The Declaration of Independence he was most likely referring to Aristotle's concept of happiness, or eudaimonia. Eudaimonia is not about good feelings but rather the fulfillment of human potentials. Fulfillment is made possible by virtue; the moderation of desire and emotion by reason. The Psychology of Happiness is the first book to bring together psychological, philosophical, and physiological theory and research in support of Aristotle's view. It examines the similarity between Aristotle's concept of virtue and modern cognitive theories of emotion. It discusses the discovery of human potentials, the development of virtue and its neurological basis, the mistaken idea that fulfillment is selfish, and several other issues related to the pursuit of a good human life.

Author: Samuel S. Franklin
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 10/01/2009
Pages: 192
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.64lbs
Size: 9.08h x 5.97w x 0.47d
ISBN: 9780521138673

Review Citation(s):
Choice 05/01/2010

About the Author
Franklin, Samuel S.: - Samuel S. Franklin is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at California State University, Fresno. His work has focused on visual perception, motivation, the history of psychology, and the psychology of happiness. He began teaching the psychology of happiness in the late 1970s and was one of the first to do so. His research on Aristotle's view of happiness has been presented at conferences, and he has published several articles in the area of visual perception.

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