Conquest of Happiness

A lunchtime philosophy lecture by Br. Piran-María exploring Bertrand Russell's ideas on the causes of unhappiness and the conditions for genuine happiness.

This lecture examines Bertrand Russell's argument that happiness results from habits of mind, clear thinking and engagement with the world beyond oneself, rather than luck or wishful thinking. It contrasts the principal causes of unhappiness — competition, envy, excitement-chasing and seeking others' approval — with the conditions under which genuine happiness can flourish, and asks whether the search for certainty is itself an obstacle. Delivered by Br. Piran-María, Philosopher-in-Residence and cognitive scientist at the BMI, the hour-long talk invites a philosophical exploration of what makes a life worth living. The content addresses death and mortality and includes occasional strong language.