Made for Happiness: Discovering the Meaning of Life with Aristotle - Softcover

Jean Vanier

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0887846696 ISBN 13: 9780887846694

Publisher: House of Anansi Press, 2005

Synopsis

In Made for Happiness, Jean Vanier offers an uplifting, contemporary, and practical application of philosophy to human needs and yearnings. Inviting readers to look with fresh eyes at theories of happiness written over two millennia ago, Vanier builds on the philosophical work of his youth as he examines the basis for modern moral philosophy and its role in people's lives today.
The book uncovers useful links between psychology, spirituality, and morality: psychology helps readers face their fears and limitations; spirituality gives them strength; and morality helps them to choose the best actions - those that will increase their happiness, and thus their humanity. The combination of these paths to knowledge and wisdom gives meaning to people's lives and allows them to make the best use of their freedom on their way to that most elusive but always obtainable quality—happiness.

About this title

About the Author:

Jean Vanier is the son of former governor general Georges Vanier, and founder of L'Arche, an international network of communities for people with developmental disabilities. He has written a number of books, including Becoming Human (the 1999 CBC Massey Lectures), Finding Peace, Made for Happiness, Encountering the Other, and Befriending the Stranger. Jean lives in Trosly-Breuil, France.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Many of Aristotle’s principles are valid for any ethics. Being human doesn’t mean simply obeying laws that come form outside, but attaining maturity. Being human means becoming as perfectly accomplished as possible. If we do not become perfectly accomplished, something is lost to the whole of humanity. For Aristotle this accomplishment derives from the exercise of the most perfect activity: that of seeking truth in all things, shunning lies and illusions, acting in accordance with justice, transcending oneself to act for the good of others in society.

About this edition

• Publisher: House of Anansi Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0887846696
• ISBN 13: 9780887846694
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224