Book

The conquest of happiness / Bertrand Russell ; with a new introduction by Daniel C. Dennett.

Russell, Bertrand, 1872-1970 (Author).

Summary:

In The Conquest of Happiness, first published in 1930, iconoclastic philosopher Bertrand Russell attempted to diagnose the myriad causes of unhappiness in modern life and chart a path out of the seemingly inescapable malaise so prevalent even in safe and prosperous Western societies. More than eighty years later, Russell's wisdom remains as true as it was on its initial release. Eschewing guilt-based morality, Russell lays out a rationalist prescription for living a happy life, including the importance of cultivating interests outside oneself and the dangers of passive pleasure. In this new edition, philosopher Daniel C. Dennett reintroduces Russell to a new generation.

Record details

ISBN: 9780871406736
ISBN: 087140673X
Physical Description: 223 pages ; 21 cm
Publisher: New York : Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2013.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references.
Formatted Contents Note:	Introduction / Daniel C. Dennett -- Causes of unhappiness. What makes people unhappy? -- Byronic unhappiness -- Competition -- Boredom and excitement -- Fatigue -- Envy -- the sense of sin -- Persecution mania -- Fear of public opinion -- Causes of happiness. Is happiness still possible? -- Zest -- Affection -- The family -- Work -- Impersonal interests -- Effort and resignation -- The happy man.