Self-Quiz 1.5: Susan Wolf, Happiness and Meaning: Two Aspects of the Good

Wolf endorses which of the following theories of self-interest?

Hedonism

Preference theory

Objective-list theory

Meaning theory

On Wolf's view, what does it mean to be actively engaged by something?

To derive pleasure from it

To derive meaning from it

To be gripped, excited, and involved by it

All of the above

According to Wolf, a life is meaningful if and only if it is

actively engaged with projects of worth.

pleasing to God.

free of pain.

All of the above

Wolf admits that her account of self-interest fails if

some projects are not worthwhile.

we can't precisely identify which projects are worthwhile and which aren't.

the distinction between worthwhile and worthless projects is incoherent.

All of the above

Wolf summarizes her view with the following slogan:

Meaning arises when subjective attraction meets objective attractiveness.

Meaning is the fulfillment derived from a desire satisfied.

Meaning emerges as wants fade.

The good gives meaning.

According to Wolf's theory of worth, something has worth if and only if it

makes people happy.

satisfies desires.

promotes its natural end.

None of the above (Wolf does not offer a theory of worth)

According to Wolf, a person can feel fulfilled by something only if

that thing is independently good.

she believes that thing is independently good.

she most desires that thing.

that thing gives her life meaning.

According to Wolf, recognizing the importance of meaning to self-interest

makes self-interest more determinate.

makes self-interest less determinate.

explains why we should always act for duty.

explains why we should always promote our own happiness.

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