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How and How Not to Be Happy
It’s Time to Start Asking the Right Questions About Happiness
The West is facing a happiness crisis. Today, less than a quarter of American adults rate themselves as very happy—a record low. False views of happiness abound, and the explosion in “happiness studies” has done little to dispel them. Why is true happiness so elusive, and why is it so hard to define?
In How and How Not to Be Happy, internationally renowned philosopher and happiness theorist, J. Budziszewski, draws on decades of study to dispel the myths and wishful thinking that blind people from uncovering lasting fulfillment.
Could happiness lie in health, wealth, responsibility, or pleasure? Should we settle for imperfect happiness? What would it even mean to attain perfect fulfillment? Budziszewski separates the wheat from the chaff, exploring how to attain happiness—and just as importantly, how not to.
The West is facing a happiness crisis. Today, less than a quarter of American adults rate themselves as very happy—a record low. False views of happiness abound, and the explosion in “happiness studies” has done little to dispel them. Why is true happiness so elusive, and why is it so hard to define?
In How and How Not to Be Happy, internationally renowned philosopher and happiness theorist, J. Budziszewski, draws on decades of study to dispel the myths and wishful thinking that blind people from uncovering lasting fulfillment.
Could happiness lie in health, wealth, responsibility, or pleasure? Should we settle for imperfect happiness? What would it even mean to attain perfect fulfillment? Budziszewski separates the wheat from the chaff, exploring how to attain happiness—and just as importantly, how not to.
- GenresPhilosophyNonfiction
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2022
19 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
J. Budziszewski
30 books62 followersJ. Budziszewski (born 1952) is professor of government at the University of Texas, Austin, where he has taught since 1981. He specializes in ethics, political philosophy and the interaction of these two fields with religion and theology.
Budziszewski has written widely, in both scholarly and popular venues, about a variety of moral and political issues including abortion, marriage, sexuality, capital punishment, and the role of judges in a constitutional republic. His principal area of publication is the theory of natural law.
Apart from his scholarly philosophical work, Budziszewski is known for articles and books of Christian apologetics, addressed to a broad audience including young people and college students.
Ph.D., Political Science, Yale University, 1981.
M.A., Political Science, University of Florida, 1977.
B.A., Political Science, University of South Florida, 1975.
2002-present: Professor, Departments of Government and Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin.
1995-2002: Associate Professor, Departments of Government and Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin.
1988-1995: Associate Professor, Department of Government, University of Texas at Austin.
1981-1988: Assistant Professor, Department of Government, University of Texas at Austin.
1980-1981: Acting Instructor, Departments of Political Science, Yale University.
Budziszewski has written widely, in both scholarly and popular venues, about a variety of moral and political issues including abortion, marriage, sexuality, capital punishment, and the role of judges in a constitutional republic. His principal area of publication is the theory of natural law.
Apart from his scholarly philosophical work, Budziszewski is known for articles and books of Christian apologetics, addressed to a broad audience including young people and college students.
Ph.D., Political Science, Yale University, 1981.
M.A., Political Science, University of Florida, 1977.
B.A., Political Science, University of South Florida, 1975.
2002-present: Professor, Departments of Government and Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin.
1995-2002: Associate Professor, Departments of Government and Philosophy, University of Texas at Austin.
1988-1995: Associate Professor, Department of Government, University of Texas at Austin.
1981-1988: Assistant Professor, Department of Government, University of Texas at Austin.
1980-1981: Acting Instructor, Departments of Political Science, Yale University.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 3, 2025
We don't stop wanting things, we just start wanting better things, and that leads to deeper happiness. We assume happiness means no pain, but sometimes love and meaning bring joy through pain.
May 28, 2024
The Professor gives us a modern and vernacular adaptation of Thomas Aquinas' questions on human happiness from the Summa Theologiae (ST Ia-IIae QQ. 1-5). He writes with honesty and lots of modern anecdotes and quotations, yet still with care. A reader likewise should read or listen with care to get the most out of it.
April 4, 2022
i enjoyed the philosophical parts of it but i didn't realise it was going to be a christian apologetic. some of his “logic” seems a bit wonky and lost me at least once almost every chapter. his argument against virtue and stoicism was the highlight of the book for me
April 1, 2022
A really great, accessible, reasoned based approach to anchoring and your pursuing happiness in Christ!
Want to read
August 4, 2022Adapted excerpt here.
January 10, 2023
Excellent
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews