Alumni, Parents Explore “Living a Good Life” in Mini-Course

“What is the good life?”
“What should I value?”
“What should I believe?”

These are the questions that more than 760 alumni, parents, and friends of the University are exploring this winter as part of a three-part mini-course titled Living a Good Life.

Taught by Wesleyan Professors Steven Horst, Stephen Angle, and Tushar Irani, the course gives attendees the chance to participate in activities during each one-hour virtual webinar. Attendance is encouraged for all three classes, but not required.

The mini-series is based on Wesleyan’s Living a Good Life undergraduate course, piloted during the Fall 2020 semester.

The course is part of the University’s new Window into Wesleyan virtual event series created by the Office of Advancement’s Alumni and Parent Relations Office.

On Jan. 14, Steven Horst, professor of philosophy, lectured on “Means and Desires.”

On Jan. 21, from 7 to 8 p.m., Stephen Angle, professor of philosophy and Mansfield Freeman Professor of East Asian Studies, will speak on Daoism.

And on Feb. 1, from noon to 1 p.m., Tushar Irani, associate professor of philosophy, associate professor of letters, will lead a session on Stoicism.

All three of these lectures will be recorded and shared with registrants when available. Register for the mini-series online here.

“We’re so excited by the interest from alumni and parents in this opportunity,” said Dana Coffin, associate director of alumni and parent relations. “I think it goes to show that the larger community has such an interest in maintaining a lifelong connection to Wes and appreciates the opportunities to engage with our incredible faculty.”

For more information, see:

• “Ancient Philosophy, Meet Modern Pandemic: Students at Wesleyan meet mostly in-person to discuss virtues and ideals in a complex modern moment,” published in The New York Times on Oct. 19, 2020.
• “Philosophical Debate Serves as Living a Good Life Course’s Midterm,” published in News @ Wesleyan on Oct. 26, 2020.
• “Teaching Philosophy as a Way of Life,” by Stephen Angle, Steven Horst, and Tushar Irani, published in The Daily Nous on Dec. 8, 2020.
• “What We Learned From Teaching a “Living a Good Life” Course During the Pandemic,” published in Thrive Global on Jan. 14, 2021.