In Pursuit of Happiness: Better Living from Plato to Prozac

by Mark Kingwell

Book Overview

Explores the personal, historical, and economic aspects of happiness, using anecodotes and personal stories to illustrate the pursuit for better living beyond technology and material goods. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0609605356
• ISBN13: 9780609605356
• Release Date: July 2000
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 392 Pages
• Weight: 1.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.5" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating

Kingwell's book is a very interesting exploration of the nature of happiness. He explores a wide variety of theories from different philosophers, as well as some pyschologists. Ultimately, he concludes that Aristotle's definition is best. Aristotle has always confused me, and Kingwell is the first author who has ever explained him in a way that made sense to me. The author's writing style is clear and concise. He has a good sense of humor, and I liked the way he tied popular culture, philosophy, and personal examples together. The book wasn't dry, dull and boring, the way philosphy can be at times.There is only one reason that I can't give the book five stars. I found that Kingwell rambled a bit, and he lost track of his point. Overall, however, I think the book is really worthwhile, and I would encourage anyone who is interested in philosophy to pick up a copy of the book.

The Cultural Philosopher takes on a big subject...

This is the first book by Professor Kingwell that I've read, but it certainly wasn't the last. I wait patiently for each new book he puts out (since this, there's been 'Marginalia,' 'Millennium,' and his brand new release 'The World We Want') and am alwasy interested to see his particular bent on the topic he's chosen.In Pursuit of Happiness is a rare thing - it's readable philosophy and its darn interesting. Kingwell covers lots of ground, always exploring and exposing human nature. This tome has a personal side as well... he discusses his own framework for happiness with the backdrp being his professional career. The reader will find his work serious, witty, funny, and always engaging. If you've ever wanted to better understand what it means to be "happy", truly happy, then this is a great place to start. Kingwell will engage you and make you think. In true philosophical form, he asks as many (if not more) questions than he answers... but as with classic philosophical pursuit, this isn't nearly as frustrating.If you're big into cultural philosophy then this author is for you - I highly recommend his writings.

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