Discovering happiness: Lessons from dogs in daily life
- Mark Rowlands, a philosophy professor, examines the happiness of dogs in his book.
- He contrasts human conditional commitment with the unconditional loyalty of dogs, sharing personal anecdotes and stories of canine morality.
- Rowlands concludes that embracing the qualities of dogs can lead to a deeper understanding of happiness and the meaning of life.
Mark Rowlands, a professor of philosophy, explores the happiness of dogs in his book, 'The Happiness of Dogs.' He contrasts human intelligence, characterized by doubt and conditional commitment, with the unwavering loyalty and simplicity of dogs. Through personal anecdotes, such as his dogs waking him to care for his crying son, Rowlands illustrates the moral instincts of dogs. He also shares the story of Lilica, a puppy who, despite being abandoned, selflessly brings food for other animals in her junkyard. Rowlands argues that humans can learn valuable life lessons from dogs, emphasizing the importance of living in the moment and finding joy in simple pleasures. He suggests that engaging in activities where we lose ourselves, akin to how dogs play, can lead to greater happiness. Ultimately, Rowlands posits that to understand the meaning of life, one should embrace the qualities that dogs exemplify.