Quest for Happiness
June 05, 2018
Chapin Senior Center
37 Pleasant Street
New London, NH
Tuesday, June 5
10:00am - 11:00am
With a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities to Go Program, The Chapin Senior Center will host a talk on the Quest for Happiness. The ancient Greek philosophers defined eudaimonia as living a full and excellent life. In this illustrated talk, Maria Sanders explores how ideas of happiness have changed in Western civilization through the ages, while comparing and contrasting major concepts of well-being throughout the world. Can money buy happiness? To what extent does engaging in one’s community impact happiness? When worldwide surveys of happiness are conducted, why doesn’t the United States make the top ten? Participants will be invited to discuss various definitions; current measures for assessing self-reported levels of happiness; specific findings reported as increasing people’s levels of happiness; and happiness projects undertaken by entire communities —including a town-wide happiness quest in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
The Quest for Happiness
May 23, 2018
Wadleigh Memorial Library
49 Nashua Street
Milford, NH 03055
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
6:30pm - 7:30pm
With a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities to Go Program, The Wadleigh Memorial Library will host a talk on the Quest for Happiness. The ancient Greek philosophers defined eudaimonia as living a full and excellent life. In this illustrated talk, Maria Sanders explores how ideas of happiness have changed in Western civilization through the ages, while comparing and contrasting major concepts of well-being throughout the world. Can money buy happiness? To what extent does engaging in one’s community impact happiness? When worldwide surveys of happiness are conducted, why doesn’t the United States make the top ten? Participants will be invited to discuss various definitions; current measures for assessing self-reported levels of happiness; specific findings reported as increasing people’s levels of happiness; and happiness projects undertaken by entire communities —including a town-wide happiness quest in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
The Quest for Happiness
January 31, 2018
Barrington Public Library
105 Ramsdell Lane
Barrington, NH 03825
Wednesday, 6:00pm to 7:00pm
With a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities to Go Program, Barrington Public Library will host a talk on the Quest for Happiness. The ancient Greek philosophers defined eudaimonia as living a full and excellent life. In this illustrated talk, Maria Sanders explores how ideas of happiness have changed in Western civilization through the ages, while comparing and contrasting major concepts of well-being throughout the world. Can money buy happiness? To what extent does engaging in one’s community impact happiness? When worldwide surveys of happiness are conducted, why doesn’t the United States make the top ten? Participants will be invited to discuss various definitions; current measures for assessing self-reported levels of happiness; specific findings reported as increasing people’s levels of happiness; and happiness projects undertaken by entire communities —including a town-wide happiness quest in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
The Quest for Happiness
January 23, 2018
Aaron Cutler Memorial Library
Litchfield, NH 03052
7:00pm - 8:00pm
With a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities to Go Program, Aaron Cutler Memorial Library will host a talk on the Quest for Happiness. The ancient Greek philosophers defined eudaimonia as living a full and excellent life. In this illustrated talk, Maria Sanders explores how ideas of happiness have changed in Western civilization through the ages, while comparing and contrasting major concepts of well-being throughout the world. Can money buy happiness? To what extent does engaging in one’s community impact happiness? When worldwide surveys of happiness are conducted, why doesn’t the United States make the top ten? Participants will be invited to discuss various definitions; current measures for assessing self-reported levels of happiness; specific findings reported as increasing people’s levels of happiness; and happiness projects undertaken by entire communities —including a town-wide happiness quest in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
Building Hope and Resiliency
November 16, 2017
The Common Man Inn and Spa
Plymouth, NH 03264
6:30pm - 9:00pm
CADY Parent Advisory Council is hosting a fun, free event for parents and guardians to celebrate Parents on National Parent Involvement Day. There will be delicious hors d'oeuvres and desserts, door prizes and give aways, and engaging talks by Dr. Maria Sanders on "Building Hope and Resiliency" and Wendy Hills on "Stress Reduction Tips and Tools". This is a celebration, NOT a fundraiser. As a parent or guardian, you are the doctor, chef, chauffeur, therapist, teacher, and so much more for your child/children! Come joins us for an evening honoring the role parents play in the lives of their children and the future of our communities!
The Quest for Happiness
August 27, 2017
Deering Community Church
763 Deering Center Road
Deering, NH 03244
11:30am - 12:30pm
With a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities to Go Program, Deering Community Church hosted a talk on the Quest for Happiness. The ancient Greek philosophers defined eudaimonia as living a full and excellent life. In this illustrated talk, Maria Sanders explores how ideas of happiness have changed in Western civilization through the ages, while comparing and contrasting major concepts of well-being throughout the world. Can money buy happiness? To what extent does engaging in one’s community impact happiness? When worldwide surveys of happiness are conducted, why doesn’t the United States make the top ten? Participants will be invited to discuss various definitions; current measures for assessing self-reported levels of happiness; specific findings reported as increasing people’s levels of happiness; and happiness projects undertaken by entire communities —including a town-wide happiness quest in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
Social and Ethical Considerations of Smart Home Technologies
August 06, 2017
New Hampshire World Fellowship Center
368 Drake Hill Rd.
Albany, NH 03818
Smart homes use technology to improve comfort, security, facilitate well-being, and support care for children, elderly, and mentally impaired. Smart homes interconnect technology component systems such as heating, cooling, security, entertainment, lighting, communication, and appliances in ways to maximize temporal and spatial efficiencies while offering convenience and peace of mind. In this talk, Dr. Maria Sanders analyzes applications of smart home technologies, exploring various social and ethical considerations arising from incorporation of technology into everyday life environments.
The Quest for Happiness
July 25, 2017
Goffstown Public Library
Tuesday, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
With a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities to Go Program, Goffstown Public Library hosted a talk on the Quest for Happiness. The ancient Greek philosophers defined eudaimonia as living a full and excellent life. In this illustrated talk, Maria Sanders explored how ideas of happiness have changed in Western civilization through the ages, while comparing and contrasting major concepts of well-being throughout the world. Can money buy happiness? To what extent does engaging in one’s community impact happiness? When worldwide surveys of happiness are conducted, why doesn’t the United States make the top ten? Participants will be invited to discuss various definitions; current measures for assessing self-reported levels of happiness; specific findings reported as increasing people’s levels of happiness; and happiness projects undertaken by entire communities —including a town-wide happiness quest in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
Wednesday Wellness Series: The Quest for Happiness
June 28, 2017
Castle in the Clouds
Wednesday, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Winnipesaukee Room, Second floor of the Carriage House
Rte 171, 455 Old Mountain Road
Moultonborough, NH 03254
With a Humanities to Go grant from the New Hampshire Humanities, Castle in the Clouds will kick off their Wednesday Wellness Series with Dr. Maria Sanders' The Quest for Happiness talk. The ancient Greek philosophers defined eudaimonia as living a full and excellent life. In this illustrated talk, Maria Sanders explores how ideas of happiness have changed in Western civilization through the ages, while comparing and contrasting major concepts of well-being throughout the world. Can money buy happiness? To what extent does engaging in one’s community impact happiness? When worldwide surveys of happiness are conducted, why doesn’t the United States make the top ten? Participants will be invited to discuss various definitions; current measures for assessing self-reported levels of happiness; specific findings reported as increasing people’s levels of happiness; and happiness projects undertaken by entire communities —including a town-wide happiness quest in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
The Quest for Happiness
May 06, 2017
Canaan Town Library
Saturday, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
With a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities to Go Program, Canaan Town Library will host a talk on the Quest for Happiness. The ancient Greek philosophers defined eudaimonia as living a full and excellent life. In this illustrated talk, Maria Sanders explores how ideas of happiness have changed in Western civilization through the ages, while comparing and contrasting major concepts of well-being throughout the world. Can money buy happiness? To what extent does engaging in one’s community impact happiness? When worldwide surveys of happiness are conducted, why doesn’t the United States make the top ten? Participants will be invited to discuss various definitions; current measures for assessing self-reported levels of happiness; specific findings reported as increasing people’s levels of happiness; and happiness projects undertaken by entire communities —including a town-wide happiness quest in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
Finding Work/Life Balance: The Science of Happiness
May 02, 2017
Atlantic Grill
Tuesday, 7:30pm - 9:00pm
5 Pioneer Road
Rye, NH
Appledore Medical Group is a large network of clinicians and doctors working together to provide access to top quality medical care in the New Hampshire southeast region. Appledore's team of specialists is made up of family medicine doctors, internal medicine physicians, surgeons, gynecologists, obstetricians, oncologists and neurologists.
The Happiness Quest in Plymouth, NH
April 17, 2017
Pease Public Library
Monday, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
1 Russell Street
Plymouth, NH
The town of Plymouth is participating in a year-long research project exploring how a town-wide focus on happiness impacts individual's self-reported levels of happiness.
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More Than Just Ourselves: Willard Uphaus, Louis Wyman, and Civil Liberties in the McCarthy Era
April 03, 2017
Monday, April 3, 7:00 pm
Loynd Auditorium, Kennett High School, 409 Eagles Way, North Conway
Tuesday, April 4, 7:00 pm
Dover City Hall Auditorium, 288 Central Ave., Dover
What are the ethical responsibilities when one's conscience conflicts with political/legal directives? With a grant from the New Hampshire Humanities, the New Hampshire World Fellowship Center presented two panel discussions on the McCarthy-era legal case that took a conflict between the NH attorney general (Louise Wyman) and the then director of the World Fellowship Conference Center (Dr. Willard Uphaus) all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. Four panelists explored the case Uphaus v. Wyman from a variety of angles, considering the historical context, backgrounds of those involved, and the ethical and legal issues at stake. Questions about the balance between individual rights, liberties and conscience and the needs of the broader society remain with us today.
Power of Positive Strategies: Building Hope and Resiliency
March 31, 2017
CADY's Restorative Justice 10 Year Anniversary Event
Friday, March 31, 2017
11:30am - 2:00pm
Plymouth Common Man
For the last 17 years, CADY (Communities for Alcohol- and Drug- Free Youth) has been dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth through innovative programming and evidence-based strategies that deter alcohol, tobacco and other drug use; that engage and strengthen families, schools and communities; and that promote healthy environments, resiliency building, and promising futures for youth in the Central New Hampshire region. One of CADY's program, Restorative Justice, offers a second chance for first-time youth offenders. Accredited by the State of New Hampshire’s Juvenile Court Diversion Network, we offer the sole diversion program in the Pemi-Baker, Lin-Wood, and Newfound Regions and achieve stellar outcomes every year evidenced through independent evaluation by the Community Health Institute. This community-based intervention helps high-risk youth develop real life skills and has been proven to prevent future risky behaviors, breaks the cycle of juvenile crime, and reclaims the futures of our most vulnerable youth. Since 2007, 170 youth have been given a second chance to take responsibility for their actions, make restitution to victims of juvenile crime, reconnect with their community, and turn their lives around. CADY's Restorative Justice Program, which has a 93% success rate in promoting growth and lasting behavior change, is celebrating its Ten Year Anniversary in March. Dr. Maria Sanders will serve as keynote speaker, presenting on the impact incorporating positive strategies into everyday living can have on building hope and resiliency in our lives.
Quest for Happiness as Eudaimonia
January 26, 2017
Thursday, January 26th, 2017
7:00pm - 8:3o pm
Adult Reading Room
The ancient Greek philosophers defined eudaimonia as living a full and excellent life. In this illustrated talk, Dr. Maria Sanders explores how ideas of happiness have changed in Western Civilization through the ages, while comparing and contrasting major concepts of well-being throughout the world. Can money buy happiness? To what extent does engaging in one's community impact happiness? When worldwide surveys of happiness are conducted, why doesn't the United States make the top ten? Participants will be invited to discuss various definitions; current measures for assessing self-reported levels of happiness; specific findings reported as increasing people's levels of happiness; and happiness projects undertaken by entire communities -- including a town-wide happiness quest in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
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Meet the Panelists
Jeffrey Bolster is Professor of History at UNH. Among his fields of expertise is New Hampshire history. He can provide a context for the political atmosphere at the time in the state. Among his publications is the article “‘The Absurdity of Nonresistance’: Reexamining Article 10 of N.H.’s Constitution, the ‘Right of Revolution,’” in Historical New Hampshire, so he can also provide historical background as to analogous cases and antecedents over time.
Michael Ferber, our humanities expert and the panel’s facilitator, is Professor of English and Humanities at UNH. During the Vietnam War, while at Harvard Graduate School, he helped organize the draft-resistance movement and returned his own draft card to the Justice Department, which put him at the center of a federal conspiracy trial along with Dr. Benjamin Spock, Rev. William Sloane Coffin, Jr. and others. He has taught courses in civil liberties and nonviolent social change at UNH and Boston University. His personal history combined with deep grounding in the classics and the broader humanities position him well to set just the right tone and raise the big questions for this panel.
Clare Chapman is Executive Director of the New Hampshire Council of Churches, which describes itself as “New Hampshire’s religious voice for peace, justice and the integrity of creation.” She is a member of the United Methodist Church, as Willard Uphaus was, and is in a unique position to explore the religious motivations behind the conscientious stand he took, and to give examples of similar cases in which an individual’s religiously motivated expression has come in conflict with the laws of the land. She is a Juris Doctor and served as General Counsel to the National Council of Churches before coming to her current position, giving a strong legal grounding to her perspective as well.
Maria Sanders is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and coordinates the Philosophy program at Plymouth State University. She has a JD degree in addition to a Ph.D. in philosophy, and teaches applied ethics. As an award-winning teacher with a special interest in the Uphaus case, Dr. Sanders teaches classes on “Building a Civil Society” and "Ethics in Everyday Life". Among the many gifts she brings to the panel, she can speak to the ethical role of the individual in contributing to a functioning civil society. Her particular interests in this case include reflections on the issues of civil responsibility, conflicts between protecting individual rights and public interests such as national security, and the complex layers of power ever-present in the Uphaus case.
