Promoting a feeling of pleasure: Empiric research in high education based on spinoza’s philosophy

Abraham Mounitz and Alonit Ber

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationship between an ability to implement theories and feeling pleasure and self-assurance, based on Spinoza`s philosophy that when the mind regards its self and its power of activity, its feels pleasure. The research presents results of a study among students at the Safed Academic College, Israel. A high correlation was found between feeling pleasure and selfassurance, and an ability to implement theories learned about a specific case. The 3-year long research in practical courses used 249 questionnaires in heterogenic classes (Druze, Muslims, Christians and Jews) and included women and men aged 18-50. One of the most famous of Spinoza’s universal teachings uses a practical system to promote human pleasure. This is a pioneering study following the identification of student's satisfaction in practical lessons. The interesting finding of the study that founded no differences between students based on gender, religion, personal status and age. The research findings validate Spinoza's claims in Ethics from 350 years ago.