Well-Being

In this course, we map out and examine the various dimensions of the domain of prudential value, or what pertains to well-being. We begin with important features of the concept of prudential value itself, such as subject-relativity, the experience requirement, and the categories of prudential value (e.g., subjectivist and objectivist). We examine classic theories of well-being: hedonistic, desire, and eudaimonistic theories, as well as new theoretical options (internalist and constitutivist theories). Then we consider different varieties of prudential goods, including happiness, meaningfulness, achievement. Finally, we look at questions of the proper scope of prudential value, in particular whether it is best understood as a property of a whole life.