Philosophy, Department of
First Advisor
Joseph Mendola
Second Advisor
John Brunero
Date of this Version
Spring 4-24-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
This dissertation argues that the desire satisfaction theory, arguably the dominant theory of well-being at present, fails to explain why depression is bad for a person. People with clinical depression desire almost nothing, but the few desires they do have are almost all satisfied. So it appears the theory must say these people are relatively well-off. A number of possible responses on behalf of the theory are considered, and I argue that each response either fails outright, or requires modifications to the desire satisfaction theory which make the theory unattractive for other reasons.
Advisors: Joseph Mendola and John Brunero
Comments
A DISSERTATION Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Major: Philosophy, Under the supervision of Professors Joseph Mendola and John Brunero. Lincoln, Nebraska: April 2020
Copyright 2020 Andrew Spaid