Personal development and happiness". The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BCE – 322 BCE) wrote "Nicomachean Ethics", in which he defined personal development as a category of phronesis or practical wisdom, where the practice of virtues ("arête") leads to "eudaimonia", commonly translated as "happiness" but more accurately understood as "human flourishing" or "living well". Aristotle continues to influence the Western concept of personal development , particularly in the economics of human development and in positive psychology. In Chinese tradition, Confucius (around 551 BCE – 479 BCE) founded an ongoing philosophy. His ideas continue to influence family values, education and management in China and
Brian Davies (philosopher) Brian Davies (philosopher) Brian Evan Anthony Davies (born 1951) is a British philosopher. He is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Fordham University (since 1995), and author of "An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion", now in its third English edition, which has been translated into five languages. Brian Davies studied theology at the University of Bristol (BA 1972) and undertook graduate studies at King's College London (MTh, 1973; Tutorial Assistant, 1974–6; PhD, 1976). He spent the period 1982–95 at the University of Oxford. Throughout those years he was lecturer in Theology and Philosophy at Blackfriars, Oxford. Davies was also Tutor in