Philosophy 2: Happiness
It's an intense world, so much pressure, so much going on. Where do you find contentment in the midst of all this? Philosophy has a lot to say about happiness. What's more, it provides a road map.
The next term of practical philosophy is devoted to happiness. Enjoy the good company of philosophic friends on a journey of discovery, to the source of true satisfaction.
Tuesday evenings at 7.15pm, from 13 January 2026.
This course will be delivered in a hybrid format of six online and five in-person sessions. Plus an in-person Practice Day on Sunday 1 March.
- In-person sessions run from 7.15pm until 9.30pm
- Online sessions are held via Zoom, 7.15pm - 8.45pm
- In-person course venue: Sixth Form Centre, St Albans Girls' School, Sandridgebury Lane, St Albans, AL3 6DB. The venue has ample free parking. Tea, coffee, and biscuits included.
Course fee
All eleven sessions plus Study & Practice Day - Normal price: £112.50
Course dates (provisional)
Because of the greater risk of poor weather, we will be online-only in January.
13 January - Online
20 January - Online
27 January - Online
3 February - In person
10 February - Online
17 February - Reading week, no session
24 February - In person
3 March - Online
10 March - In person
17 March - Online
24 March - In person
31 March - In person
ALSO INCLUDED: In-person Retreat/Practice Day
When: Sunday 1 March, 9.30am - 4.00pm SAVE THE DATE!
Where: Waterperry House and Gardens, near Wheatley, Oxford (60 minutes from St Albans)
- A practical and quiet day of mindful work/practice in kitchen, house, or garden, plus an elective study session
- Coffee/tea and vegetarian lunch all included
- Organised in conjunction with three other branches of the Philosophy School in the south of England
- Ample, free parking
Note: Please only enrol on this course if you have previously done one or more terms of practical philosophy with the School of Philosophy. If not, we would recommend our introductory course.
Course topics
What is true happiness? Is this natural to a man or woman? How may it be experienced fully and how is it lost? Is it permanent or transient?
What is the effect of gaining happiness at the expense of another person’s happiness? Is such happiness true and lasting?
Happiness and service. Is happiness natural?
Happiness and law; Happiness and utilitarianism; Happiness and pleasure, Epicurus, Aristippus, Plato
The Platonic goods which lead to happiness
An introduction to Marsilio Ficino, Lao Tzu, finding inner equilibrium
Happiness: contentment, Patanjali
Finding happiness in work Happiness and wisdom
Mindful Working practical session