
Wellbeing
Mark Vernon(Author)
Acumen Publishing Ltd
1st Edition
Published on 20. August 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-1-84465-153-5 (ISBN)
Description
The politics of wellbeing and the new science of happiness have shot up the agenda since Martin Seligman coined the phrase "positive psychology". After all, who does not want to live the good life? So ten years on, why is it that much of this otherwise welcome debate sounds like as much apple-pie - "work less", "earn enough", "keep fit", "find meaning", "enjoy freedoms"? The reason is not, ultimately, cynicism. Rather, it is because a central, tricky question is being glossed over: just what is wellbeing? Mark Vernon argues that positive psychology has overlooked and sidelined the ancient wisdom on wellbeing, notably from the Greek philosophers. Now is the time to pay it proper attention.Vernon shows, surprisingly, that wellbeing is not found in a focus on pleasure, or even the pursuit of happiness itself. Rather, it is a question of meaning and responding to the great challenge of our day: the search for transcendence. For at root, the life that is going well cultivates a way of life based upon love: it is that which draws you out of yourself - in friends, hopes and ultimately the contemplation of mystery - and orientates a life towards that which is good.
Reviews / Votes
This is an important study that will lead you to question just about everything you hear about 'wellbeing'.A" - Frank Furedi, Professor of Sociology, University of Kent, and author of Therapy Culture Mark Vernon is one of the most thoughtful, accessible and lucid popular philosophers writing today.A" - Julian Baggini, Editor of The Philosophers' Magazine "A beautifully written book." - Australian Journal of Adult LearningMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Durham
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
211 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84465-153-5 (9781844651535)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Person
Mark Vernon is a freelance writer and journalist. He is an Honorary Research Fellow of Birkbeck College, London.
Content
Introduction: happy yet? 1. Pleasure and pain 2. The meaning dimension 3. Turning to the transcendent 4. Discerning the mystery 5. The power of love Further reading References Index


