1. In what way, according to Gilbert and the other psychologists mentioned in the article “The Futile Pursuit of Happiness,” are human beings bad at pursuing happiness? Come up with one

clear example of how these psychologists think that we are bad at pursuing happiness. Do you

agree with them on this point? Why or why not? (this answer must include a detailed discussion

of affective forecasting, the impact bias, and mis-wanting).

2. Why does the intensity and duration of the pleasure we take in new things tend to decrease

over time, according to the article “The Futile Pursuit of Happiness”? Do you think that this

phenomenon means that we are doomed to be unhappy in the end? Why or why not?

3. Would Epicurus say that skipping a party to study for a test is a good choice? Explain your

answer, making specific reference to Epicurus’s concept of happiness and his concept of the

virtue of prudence (this is discussed at length in the powerpoint and recorded session for Week

12).

4. Identify the things that are each necessary and jointly sufficient for happiness according to

Epicurus. Do you agree or disagree with him on this matter? Explain your answer either way.

5. Why does Epicurus advise us to avoid pursuing unlimited wealth, if our goal in life is happiness?

Do you agree with Epicurus on this point? Your answer must include specific reference to

Epicurus’s concept of happiness, and the relationship of happiness, as he understood it, to

wealth.

6. Summarize the two evolutionary accounts of music in the article “Exploring the Musical Brain” –

namely, the account according to which music serves an evolutionary function and the account

according to which music is a pleasant but unnecessary by-product of evolution (music as

“auditory cheesecake”) Which one do you think is the better account? Explain your answer.

7. According to the article “Exploring the Musical Brain,” are our emotional responses to music

determined by biology or culture? What, according to the article, are the allegedly universal

emotional responses to differences in key (for instance, between the major and minor keys) and

tempo (speed) in music. Do you agree or disagree with the position on music taken in the article

(some of this is discussed in the recorded session for Week 13)? Explain why you agree or

disagree.