Topical Seminars | Happiness

In-person

Topical Seminars is a monthly series of seminars based upon essays whose topics include philosophy, the arts and literature, science, politics, economics, communications, and much more. Participants are asked to read an essay chosen by the facilitation team and then submit a written response in advance of each session. The group then meets for a lively discussion on the posted piece and the participants’ responses to it.

Essays are available for reading at our website a month in advance. Responses are due no later than the day before each meeting and are also posted on the website. For more information, contact David White, facilitation team member.

This month we will discuss happiness. This is our annual opportunity for personal reflection rather than an academic exercise. How have you understood the meaning of happiness at different moments in your life? How have you sought happiness for others? For yourself?

Registration is requested.

Topics for 2026-27 are:

September 9 | The Future of Economic Society
October 14 | Masculinity
November 18 | Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena
December 9 | Happiness
January 13 | Jazz
February 10 | Moral Relativism
March 10 | Reconstruction: An Unfinished Project?
April 14 | Evolutionary Psychology and Society
May 12 | Liberty and Democracy: Allies or Rivals?
June 9 | Program Review and Assessment