Four Meditations on Happiness

In this original and thought-provoking book philosopher Michael Hampe sets out to help us understand happiness.

The right and proper path to a happy life is a topic that has been debated for millennia. There are many theories, from those of ancient philosophy to those of modern neuroscience, but can any one of them ultimately tell us how the objective of a perfectly fulfilled life might be achieved? By telling the story of two friends - the unhappy philosopher Stanley Low and the happy gardener Gabriel Kolk - alongside a presentation of four essays that examine prominent and very plausible theories of happiness, Michael Hampe illustrates that there is no easy answer to our search for unadulterated bliss.

Four Meditations on Happiness is an erudite and illuminating investigation into one of mankind's most elusive quests, one that allows us to reconsider what it means to be happy.

About the author

Michael Hampe ist als Opernregisseur in der ganzen Welt tätig. Er lebt in Zürich. Als Intendant hat er u. a. die Kölner Oper und die Dresdner Musikfestspiele geleitet und war Direktoriumsmitglied der Salzburger Festspiele. Als Professor gibt er an zahlreichen Universitäten und Hochschulen des In- und Auslands seine Erfahrungen weiter.

Summary

Striving for a happy, perfect life is as old as mankind. Can one achieve such a goal at all? Can there be a universally applicable theory of happiness? In this original and thought-provoking book philosopher Michael Hampe sets out to find some answers.

Foreword

Striving for a happy, perfect life is as old as mankind. Can one achieve such a goal at all? Can there be a universally applicable theory of happiness? In this original and thought-provoking book philosopher Michael Hampe sets out to find some answers.

Report

This is a work in the tradition - albeit with more varied arguments - of the Stoics, Marcus Aurelius and others. High praise. Moreover, it's very easy to read. Times Higher Education

Product details

• Authors: Michael Hampe, Michael (Author) Hampe, Michael Hampe
• Assisted by: Jamie Bulloch (Translation), Jamie (Author) Bulloch (Translation)
• Publisher: Atlantic Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 02.01.2014
• EAN: 9780857894038
• ISBN: 978-0-85789-403-8
• No. of pages: 256
• Dimensions: 123 mm x 201 mm x 26 mm
• Weight: 352 g
• Subjects: Guides > Self-help, everyday life > Lifestyle, personal development; Humanities, art, music > Philosophy > General, dictionaries; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: antiquity to present day; PHILOSOPHY / Mind & Body, PHILOSOPHY / Social, Philosophy of Mind, MEDICAL / Neuroscience, FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Friendship, social and political philosophy, Neurosciences, Neurology and clinical neurophysiology, Relationships and families: advice and issues