Happiness, a philosophical journey

Presentation

What do we mean by "happiness"? Does it depend on our genes, luck, or our sensitivity? Is it a lasting state or a series of fleeting pleasures? Is it purely subjective? Should we seek it? Can we cultivate it? Can suffering and happiness coexist?

To try and answer these questions, Frédéric Lenoir offers a philosophical journey, joyful and full of flavor. A stimulating stroll in the company of the great sages of East and West. Where we will wander through the garden of pleasures with Epicurus. Where we will hear the laughter of Montaigne and Zhuangzi. Where we will encounter the peaceful smile of Buddha and Epictetus. Where we will taste the joy of Spinoza and Etty Hillesum. A lively journey, punctuated with concrete examples and the latest discoveries in neuroscience, to help us live better.

• Fayard: EAN: 9782213661360
• Paperback: EAN / ISBN: 9782253194965

Translations

German : Taschenbuch
English : Melville House Publishing
Spanish : Ariel
Italian : Bompiani
Dutch : Ten Have
Romanian: Editura Philobia
Turkish: Bilge

Available in an audiobook

Table

PROLOGUE

1. Loving the Life You Lead
2. In the Garden of Pleasures, with Aristotle and Epicurus
3. Giving Meaning to Your Life
4. Voltaire and the Happy Fool
5. Does Every Human Being Want to Be Happy?
6. Happiness Is Not of This World: Socrates, Jesus, Kant
7. On the Art of Being Yourself
8. Schopenhauer: Happiness Lies in Our Sensitivity
9. Does Money Buy Happiness?
10. The Emotional Brain
11. On the Art of Being Attentive… and Dreaming
12. We Are What We Think
13. The Time of a Life
14. Can We Be Happy Without Others?
15. The Contagion of Happiness
16. Individual Happiness and Collective Happiness
17. Can the Pursuit of Happiness Make Us Unhappy?
18. From Desire to Boredom: Impossible Happiness
19. The Smile of Buddha and Epictetus
20. The Laughter of Montaigne and Zhuangzi
21. The Joy of Spinoza and Ma Anandamayi

EPILOGUE
Notes
Selected Bibliography