Class Blog Archive

Our next class will be Sunday, November 17.
No class this Sunday.

Last time:
At our last class meeting, we began by reviewing four different kinds of love, or four different but related ideas that in English all go by the same name of "love"; the Greek names of storge (affection), philia (friendship), eros (romantic), and agape (self-giving) allow us to distinguish them easily. Note that these are different kinds of love. We also discussed how they may operate at four different levels, corresponding to the levels of happiness and success that we previously studied. As you might suspect, love at levels 3-4 is more challenging but also much more mature and fulfilling.

If you missed class or want to review:

• Start with the summary at the class update post above.
• Next, enter the following codes into the Quicklinks box at the top-right of the Principles and Choices website.
  • Find definitions for all the important terms under PCS116: "Study Tools," Book 1, Chapter 3 -- Love.
  • Also see "Study Tools," Book 1, Chapter 4 -- Application to Social Issues.

Our next class will be Sunday, November 3.
(No class this Sunday.)

Last time:
At our last class meeting, we discussed responses to objections related to St. Thomas Aquinas's "Third Way" (the argument from contingency).

If you missed class or want to review:

• Please enter the following codes into the Quicklinks box at the top-right of the Principles and Choices website.
  • Enter PCS122 to watch Ike’s Winning Touchdown (video shown in class)
  • Find definitions for all the important terms under PCS116: "Study Tools", Book 1, Chapter 2 (Success & Quality of Life).
  • Check PCS124 for inspiration to strive for Success 4.
  • Go to PCS132 for an explanation of the Four Kinds of Love.
• Also please see the class update for the homework assignment.

More at the

Our next class will be Sunday, October 20.

(No class this coming Sunday.)

Last time:
At our last class meeting, we finished our overview of the Four Levels of Happiness. Level 4 happiness can completely satisfy because its true source is God, who is perfect and eternal Truth, Love, Justice, Beauty, and Unity. We completed worksheets to summarize the characteristics of each level of happiness and encapsulate the crises.

If you missed class or want to review:

• Read the Four Levels of Happiness chart
• Read these FAQs on the Four Levels of Happiness
• (Optional) Slide Show on the 4 Levels of Happiness | Credible Catholic
• Read the "Second Way" and "Third Way" sections from the simple presentation of St.

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.

Topics: Introduction to Principles & Choices +
Four Levels of Happiness If you missed class, please read the items marked with an asterisk. Also, please see the class update above for the homework assignment. Class handouts:

• What Makes You Happy? - worksheet
• Four Levels of Happiness chart*
• Four Levels of Happiness Graphic Organizer

Click the link for the chart. Please see me for the other handouts.

Articles and podcasts:

Recent research: