Enhancing Our Way to Happiness?: Aristotle Versus Bacon on the Nature of True Happiness

What does it mean to be happy? Today we are attempting to answer this question with our understanding of science in relation to self-fulfillment. In modern times, the concept of "self" has replaced the pre-modern idea of "soul." The notion of the "self" has had colossal implications concerning what we deem necessary to be happy.

Author Kathy McReynolds argues that the modern self can indeed become self-fulfilled, but not truly happy, with the help of science, especially biotechnology. Happiness, according to Professor McReynolds, requires an understanding of the self as a soul, and also an understanding of the true nature of human activity. She draws upon the classical and modern theories of Aristotle and Francis Bacon to reconsider the idea of the soul. This book offers a unique perspective to the interesting and necessary discussion of the soul.