louzander's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a truly profound read for me. It really forced me to rethink some very old, very deep assumptions about my hope for a future life and how my imagination shaped that faith.
For those of you not familiar with Pieper, this is a short book, filled with gems of deep wisdom that come from a lifetime of study and thought. His writing is very accessible, yet challenging. However, while the title might be mistaken for a tract by Deepak Chopra, make no mistake, this book fits firmly within the tradition of Western Christian thought. Not as experienced by many contemporary Christians, to be sure; Pieper is a scholastic, and his writing is deeply Thomistic.
In "Happiness and Contemplation", Pieper is exploring the actions proper to humanity; the teleology, or most fitting activities which fulfill our deepest sense of purpose. That activity he identifies as contemplation; but a very act of contemplation. Heaven will not involve sitting around and staring at things; this contemplation is a deep engagement with God, and through that engagement, a deeper connection with creation, as well.
I'm afraid I'm a poor apologist for such a brilliant author, but I can't recommend this book highly enough. An excellent primer for scholastic Western thought on human nature. However, if you're looking for something even more accessible, then try his other short masterpiece, "Only the Lover Sings." It's a series of (very) short essays on art, and it is as beautiful as the title.
For those of you not familiar with Pieper, this is a short book, filled with gems of deep wisdom that come from a lifetime of study and thought. His writing is very accessible, yet challenging. However, while the title might be mistaken for a tract by Deepak Chopra, make no mistake, this book fits firmly within the tradition of Western Christian thought. Not as experienced by many contemporary Christians, to be sure; Pieper is a scholastic, and his writing is deeply Thomistic.
In "Happiness and Contemplation", Pieper is exploring the actions proper to humanity; the teleology, or most fitting activities which fulfill our deepest sense of purpose. That activity he identifies as contemplation; but a very act of contemplation. Heaven will not involve sitting around and staring at things; this contemplation is a deep engagement with God, and through that engagement, a deeper connection with creation, as well.
I'm afraid I'm a poor apologist for such a brilliant author, but I can't recommend this book highly enough. An excellent primer for scholastic Western thought on human nature. However, if you're looking for something even more accessible, then try his other short masterpiece, "Only the Lover Sings." It's a series of (very) short essays on art, and it is as beautiful as the title.
eojsmada's review against another edition
5.0
Sensational book that synthesizes and "updates" the notions of happiness and how one rightly is to understand it and find the true practice thereof, with its roots in Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle. Pieper does an outstanding job of making this material much more readable, while still maintaining an academic quality to it.
This book along with his book, "Leisure: The Basis of Culture", in my opinion, will be the books that will help turn the tide of thought against the modern utilitarian mentality that will eventually show itself to be both untenable and wholly unsatisfying to the human person. Pieper's concise understanding has a tangible value to it that, once it ingrains itself in your mind and soul, is impossible to let go of.
A must read for anyone serious about finding an alternative for what modern society has to offer.
This book along with his book, "Leisure: The Basis of Culture", in my opinion, will be the books that will help turn the tide of thought against the modern utilitarian mentality that will eventually show itself to be both untenable and wholly unsatisfying to the human person. Pieper's concise understanding has a tangible value to it that, once it ingrains itself in your mind and soul, is impossible to let go of.
A must read for anyone serious about finding an alternative for what modern society has to offer.
conordugan's review
5.0
Absolutely beautiful and mind blowing book. Pieper is a genius and a master. He understands reality so well.
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