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Made for Happiness: Discovering the Meaning of Life with Aristotle
In Made for Happiness , Jean Vanier offers an uplifting, contemporary, and practical application of philosophy to human needs and yearnings. Inviting readers to look with fresh eyes at theories of happiness written over two millennia ago, Vanier builds on the philosophical work of his youth as he examines the basis for modern moral philosophy and its role in people's lives today.
The book uncovers useful links between psychology, spirituality, and psychology helps readers face their fears and limitations; spirituality gives them strength; and morality helps them to choose the best actions - those that will increase their happiness, and thus their humanity. The combination of these paths to knowledge and wisdom gives meaning to people's lives and allows them to make the best use of their freedom on their way to that most elusive but always obtainable quality—happiness.
The book uncovers useful links between psychology, spirituality, and psychology helps readers face their fears and limitations; spirituality gives them strength; and morality helps them to choose the best actions - those that will increase their happiness, and thus their humanity. The combination of these paths to knowledge and wisdom gives meaning to people's lives and allows them to make the best use of their freedom on their way to that most elusive but always obtainable quality—happiness.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2000
About the author
Jean Vanier
229 books165 followersJean Vanier was educated in England and Canada, entered the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, England in 1942. He went to sea in 1945 in the Royal Navy and in 1947 transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy. He resigned from the Royal Canadian Navy in 1950 while serving H.M.C.S. Magnificent. He then went to France to work in a students' community outside of Paris. He studied philosophy and theology and obtained a Doctorate from the Catholic Institute in Paris.
At various times in his life, Vanier has been a(n)
author-
traveler-
founder-
humanitarian-
peacemaker-
At various times in his life, Vanier has been a(n)
author-
traveler-
founder-
humanitarian-
peacemaker-
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 7, 2018
In Made for Happiness, Jean Vanier examines the basis for modern moral philosophy and its role in our lives today. Having discovered through his work with the intellectually disabled the degree to which our society is divided, and our values misplaced, Vanier invites us to read with fresh eyes theories of happiness written 2,400 years ago.
The book follows the links between psychology, spirituality, and morality: psychology helps us face our fears and limitations; spirituality gives us strength; and morality helps us to choose the best actions, those that will make us happier, and thus more human. The combination of these paths to knowledge and wisdom gives meaning to our lives and allows us to make the best use of our freedom on our way to happiness.
Lucidly written, Made for Happiness links classical thought to contemporary challenges, and nourishes the heart and mind.
This new edition includes an introduction by Ian Brown.
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this edition in exchange for my honest review. Can we say gorgeous cover or what? I absolutely love it and it will look great among the classics on my shelf.
This is one man’s interpretation of a great philosopher’s work on how to be happy during Aristotle’s time. It’s an easy piece to read, a bit dry, but well worth the effort. Vanier was an outcast or “excluded” member of society.
He explains how Aristotle’s teacher was Plato and how Aristotle didn’t agree with Plato’s theoretical spirituality teachings. I absolutely love how Aristotle feels that being human means becoming as perfectly accomplished as humanly possible in all aspects of life–academically, politically, scientifically, and personally. Achieving happiness is by committing humane acts–by being good in all ways. We all have the potential to be good, but we must rise above those things that have the potential for bringing out the bad in us.
He talks about being a leader, not a follower, not to settle for what others think and do but to question, disagree, disgust and make choices that benefit you personally to enhance your own personal growth in good, humane fashion.
Vanier points out some of Aristotle’s short-comings: snobbery, racism, sexism, etc. It’s an interesting breakdown. You may find that Aristotle’s philosophies make a lot of sense, and some of Vanier’s interpretations are questionable and interesting. There’s the flip side too, where some of Aristotle’s thoughts/feelings will make your head shake. The book gives you interesting insights as to where issues of snobbery, racism, sexism and others came from and how far back in history these horrible concepts were founded.
This book is thought provoking, easy to read (thank goodness), and very much so recommended by me. It’s a great collector’s book too with such a beautiful cover, not too thick and in paperback format. Overall, whether you agree with Vanier’s interpretations, and Aristotle’s insights, you will find this read very interesting.
The book follows the links between psychology, spirituality, and morality: psychology helps us face our fears and limitations; spirituality gives us strength; and morality helps us to choose the best actions, those that will make us happier, and thus more human. The combination of these paths to knowledge and wisdom gives meaning to our lives and allows us to make the best use of our freedom on our way to happiness.
Lucidly written, Made for Happiness links classical thought to contemporary challenges, and nourishes the heart and mind.
This new edition includes an introduction by Ian Brown.
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this edition in exchange for my honest review. Can we say gorgeous cover or what? I absolutely love it and it will look great among the classics on my shelf.
This is one man’s interpretation of a great philosopher’s work on how to be happy during Aristotle’s time. It’s an easy piece to read, a bit dry, but well worth the effort. Vanier was an outcast or “excluded” member of society.
He explains how Aristotle’s teacher was Plato and how Aristotle didn’t agree with Plato’s theoretical spirituality teachings. I absolutely love how Aristotle feels that being human means becoming as perfectly accomplished as humanly possible in all aspects of life–academically, politically, scientifically, and personally. Achieving happiness is by committing humane acts–by being good in all ways. We all have the potential to be good, but we must rise above those things that have the potential for bringing out the bad in us.
He talks about being a leader, not a follower, not to settle for what others think and do but to question, disagree, disgust and make choices that benefit you personally to enhance your own personal growth in good, humane fashion.
Vanier points out some of Aristotle’s short-comings: snobbery, racism, sexism, etc. It’s an interesting breakdown. You may find that Aristotle’s philosophies make a lot of sense, and some of Vanier’s interpretations are questionable and interesting. There’s the flip side too, where some of Aristotle’s thoughts/feelings will make your head shake. The book gives you interesting insights as to where issues of snobbery, racism, sexism and others came from and how far back in history these horrible concepts were founded.
This book is thought provoking, easy to read (thank goodness), and very much so recommended by me. It’s a great collector’s book too with such a beautiful cover, not too thick and in paperback format. Overall, whether you agree with Vanier’s interpretations, and Aristotle’s insights, you will find this read very interesting.
March 7, 2018
In Made for Happiness, Jean Vanier examines the basis for modern moral philosophy and its role in our lives today. Having discovered through his work with the intellectually disabled the degree to which our society is divided, and our values misplaced, Vanier invites us to read with fresh eyes theories of happiness written 2,400 years ago.
The book follows the links between psychology, spirituality, and morality: psychology helps us face our fears and limitations; spirituality gives us strength; and morality helps us to choose the best actions, those that will make us happier, and thus more human. The combination of these paths to knowledge and wisdom gives meaning to our lives and allows us to make the best use of our freedom on our way to happiness.
Lucidly written, Made for Happiness links classical thought to contemporary challenges, and nourishes the heart and mind.
This new edition includes an introduction by Ian Brown.
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this edition in exchange for my honest review. Can we say gorgeous cover or what? I absolutely love it and it will look great among the classics on my shelf.
This is one man’s interpretation of a great philosopher’s work on how to be happy during Aristotle’s time. It’s an easy piece to read, a bit dry, but well worth the effort. Vanier was an outcast or “excluded” member of society.
He explains how Aristotle’s teacher was Plato and how Aristotle didn’t agree with Plato’s theoretical spirituality teachings. I absolutely love how Aristotle feels that being human means becoming as perfectly accomplished as humanly possible in all aspects of life–academically, politically, scientifically, and personally. Achieving happiness is by committing humane acts–by being good in all ways. We all have the potential to be good, but we must rise above those things that have the potential for bringing out the bad in us.
He talks about being a leader, not a follower, not to settle for what others think and do but to question, disagree, disgust and make choices that benefit you personally to enhance your own personal growth in good, humane fashion.
Vanier points out some of Aristotle’s short-comings: snobbery, racism, sexism, etc. It’s an interesting breakdown. You may find that Aristotle’s philosophies make a lot of sense, and some of Vanier’s interpretations are questionable and interesting. There’s the flip side too, where some of Aristotle’s thoughts/feelings will make your head shake. The book gives you interesting insights as to where issues of snobbery, racism, sexism and others came from and how far back in history these horrible concepts were founded.
This book is thought provoking, easy to read (thank goodness), and very much so recommended by me. It’s a great collector’s book too with such a beautiful cover, not too thick and in paperback format. Overall, whether you agree with Vanier’s interpretations, and Aristotle’s insights, you will find this read very interesting.
The book follows the links between psychology, spirituality, and morality: psychology helps us face our fears and limitations; spirituality gives us strength; and morality helps us to choose the best actions, those that will make us happier, and thus more human. The combination of these paths to knowledge and wisdom gives meaning to our lives and allows us to make the best use of our freedom on our way to happiness.
Lucidly written, Made for Happiness links classical thought to contemporary challenges, and nourishes the heart and mind.
This new edition includes an introduction by Ian Brown.
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this edition in exchange for my honest review. Can we say gorgeous cover or what? I absolutely love it and it will look great among the classics on my shelf.
This is one man’s interpretation of a great philosopher’s work on how to be happy during Aristotle’s time. It’s an easy piece to read, a bit dry, but well worth the effort. Vanier was an outcast or “excluded” member of society.
He explains how Aristotle’s teacher was Plato and how Aristotle didn’t agree with Plato’s theoretical spirituality teachings. I absolutely love how Aristotle feels that being human means becoming as perfectly accomplished as humanly possible in all aspects of life–academically, politically, scientifically, and personally. Achieving happiness is by committing humane acts–by being good in all ways. We all have the potential to be good, but we must rise above those things that have the potential for bringing out the bad in us.
He talks about being a leader, not a follower, not to settle for what others think and do but to question, disagree, disgust and make choices that benefit you personally to enhance your own personal growth in good, humane fashion.
Vanier points out some of Aristotle’s short-comings: snobbery, racism, sexism, etc. It’s an interesting breakdown. You may find that Aristotle’s philosophies make a lot of sense, and some of Vanier’s interpretations are questionable and interesting. There’s the flip side too, where some of Aristotle’s thoughts/feelings will make your head shake. The book gives you interesting insights as to where issues of snobbery, racism, sexism and others came from and how far back in history these horrible concepts were founded.
This book is thought provoking, easy to read (thank goodness), and very much so recommended by me. It’s a great collector’s book too with such a beautiful cover, not too thick and in paperback format. Overall, whether you agree with Vanier’s interpretations, and Aristotle’s insights, you will find this read very interesting.
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February 29, 2020I'm leaving this unrated (and pretty much this is a non-review).
I looked this book up after finding out about Vanier's sexual assault history (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montre...), because I remembered I had read a book by him. But it looks like I never added it to my Goodreads.
I can't recall the book itself; I remember coming upon it because I was interested in different versions of existentialism... but the best my memory can recollect is that I was put off by the religious aspect.
Anyways, it's interesting now... knowing what we know about the man; and yet still taking the content of the book at face value. It's hard. Like R. Kelly's Remix to Ignition. Such a great song. Such a horrible man.
I looked this book up after finding out about Vanier's sexual assault history (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montre...), because I remembered I had read a book by him. But it looks like I never added it to my Goodreads.
I can't recall the book itself; I remember coming upon it because I was interested in different versions of existentialism... but the best my memory can recollect is that I was put off by the religious aspect.
Anyways, it's interesting now... knowing what we know about the man; and yet still taking the content of the book at face value. It's hard. Like R. Kelly's Remix to Ignition. Such a great song. Such a horrible man.
October 19, 2019
Good introduction to Aristotle. I find the writing style can be a bit annoying - framing things as questions and that sort of thing. But John Vanier is no doubt one of the modern human rights heroes of our age and it's nice to see some attempt at reconciling the Ancients to contemporary human rights philosophy. Easy to read and a good beginner introduction to Aristotle's moral thought for someone who's never studied philosophy.
February 22, 2019
NOT an easy read.
November 19, 2023
some interesting philosophical content, but it's a little too abstract to be an enjoyable read. I first read this over 20 years ago, when philosophy books were more of my interest.
September 2, 2009
Not bad. Made me a little more friendly towards Aristotle. I used to view him as a bad influence on the Catholic Church due to his obvious issues with sexuality. Now I see that his views are, for the most part, sterile in nature and lack humanity in many arenas. He's too theoretical for my taste and as such way too 'black and white' in his thinking.
November 13, 2014
This is an outstanding introduction to the philosophy of Artistotle intended for the Catholic lay person. It would also be of use history students wishing to understand the link between Aristotle and Catholic theology. For what is a very short read, it delivers tremendous benefits.
July 13, 2009
This is a theoretical look at happiness and the the philosophy of Aristotle. It is a hard read but well worth it.
February 9, 2019
210713: Christian interpretation of Aristotle.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews