Altruism, Learning, and the Pursuit of Happiness

From Happiness Is Executive Producer Jim Bruno

Ultimately all learning must speak to both human potential and well being, for the welfare of humanity, our planet, its creatures, and all interrelating systems.

Today, there is a strong need for creative problem-solvers with skills spanning science, mathematics, and technology. However, the underlying goal for really any kind of learning in Arts, Science, Mathematics, Technology – or any other learning area for that matter – is essentially altruistic (from the the Latin, Alter, the other). We pursue knowledge and ideas literally for the good, interest, and possibly the happiness of others.

That underlying message, at its core, is the educator's pursuit of happiness, which takes the form of creative, intellectual, logical, and even unconventional collaborative exchange, making learning vital, promising, innovative, imaginative, effective, and real.

For the educator and teacher in each of us, learning is as much about preparing ourselves to serve others as it is about preparing others to serve others. Collaboratively, though, we learn and teach by "working together" toward common universal, altruistic goals.