The Debt Dialogues [Episode 19]: Tara Smith on Happiness

The Debt Dialogues is a weekly podcast that aims to educate young people about the welfare state and how it will affect their future. In this episode, I interview Tara Smith, a professor of philosophy at the University of Texas, and author of Ayn Rand’s Normative Ethics: The Virtuous Egoist, on the questions: What is happiness, and does the welfare state help or hinder our pursuit of happiness?

Issues covered include:

  • Common misconceptions about happiness
  • Can money buy happiness?
  • The value of happiness studies
  • Whether we have a moral obligation to make others happy
  • The contribution of a productive career to a happy life


Other Resources:

Image: Bruce Rolff via Shutterstock.com