My computer lost the first version of this email. This is my attempt to re-create it. Please forgive me if I miss something.
We will be meeting next on Sunday, Oct 6.
(No class this Sunday.)
Thank you to all the students who helped me set up, take down, or put away equipment for class. I greatly appreciate it.
Introduction:
Why are we studying Principles & Choices? Whether we know them or not, our principles will guide each one of our choices, affect how happy we are, and impact our loved ones and others around us. In short, they influence every aspect of our lives.
So we're going to consider what are good principles to hold -- What principles will lead to the happiest, most fulfilling, life? What does it even mean to say "I am happy"? How can my life be happier? Is it necessary to be just? What kinds of choices produce the best results? ... and lots of other questions like that.
Students are not expected to purchase the books. I will provide class handouts and encourage note-taking to help remember the material we cover. I also post helpful resources to the class blog at suchimyjak.com/class-blog.
Class rules:
- Class will begin at 10:15am, so please plan to arrive before that. If you're unavoidably delayed or must leave early (e.g. altar server, choir) please enter / exit via the door marked "Classroom 2" further down the hall.
- No side conversations, please! It is distracting to me and unfair to other students. If you have concerns or questions, please raise your hand.
- We will be having many discussions in class. When someone is talking, everyone else listens. If you have a comment, just raise your hand. I will call on you after the current speaker is done.
- There may be times you disagree with something said in class. I encourage you to speak up respectfully and charitably.
- I handed out folders to the students in which to keep their class papers and transport them to and from class. Please bring your folder to every class.
Last time:
- Working on the "What Makes You Happy?" handout, we brainstormed definitions of "desire", "happiness", and "purpose" and then considered the questions: What makes you happy? and What do you desire the most?
- We then considered as a whole-class discussion whether the things that make us happy are all about the same, or are some better than others? Do they last the same amount of time? Are some of them of a deeper kind?
- Fr. Robert Spitzer organized and synthesized the observations of scholars of the subject over thousands of years into the Four Levels of Happiness.
- These go from quick, easy, tangible, "instant gratification" kinds of things (Level 1) to ones that fully engage our human powers and provide lasting, even eternal happiness (Level 4).
- I presented more information about the lower three levels and shared some of the philosophy and research evidence that supports them.
- We then discussed the crises that can happen as each of those levels fails to deliver on its "promised" happiness.
- We also briefly touched on the 5 Trancendentals -- perfect Love, Truth, Justice, Beauty, and Unity -- and observed that we all desire these even though they lie beyond the bounds of earthly experience.
- For more information, please see the resources post at the class blog.
Homework:
- Complete question 4 on your "What Makes You Happy?" handout. If you do not have the handout, please answer on paper the question: "What do you think is the connection between desire, happiness, and purpose?" Please bring your answers, handouts, and folders to class next time.
- Review the handouts and try to come up with at least one question about them. You may send your question(s) to me by email (MrsMyjak.CCD) or write them down and bring them to class.
If you missed the class, please check the resources post at the class blog and read at least the starred (*) items. You may find the "Four Levels of Happiness Chart" there or at the Principles and Choices website (enter code PCS112 if using the latter). Also, complete the homework listed above. You may pick up your folder and last time's handout from me at our next class meeting.
Class schedule:
The complete class calendar is pinned at the top of the class blog at suchimyjak.com/class-blog.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Blessings,
Suchi / Mrs. Myjak