Lifelong Learning and the Pursuit of Happiness: Questioning the Agenda for Adult Education

Abstract: This paper explores how lifelong learning is connected with the pursuit of happiness, arguing that competing beliefs around what constitutes "happiness" and the "good life " influence the agenda for adult education. There are many reasons why people engage in adult learning activities, whether it is a careful decision to return to university or the whimsical pursuit of something that captivates one’s personal interests, such as participating in an Outward Bound expedition. This paper explores how lifelong learning is linked to the pursuit of happiness and conflicting notions of the “good life. ” While recognizing the intrinsic, frequently pleasurable aspect of engaging in learning activities, as well as the potential benefits for social and civic engagement, when lifelong learning is linked with the pursuit of happiness, there is danger that adult education can become a more individualized commodity, accessed primarily by elite groups. Using a critical feminist analysis, this paper troubles notions of the good life, challenging educators to think through their underlying philosophical beliefs about adult learning. These beliefs inform how we answer important questions about our teaching practice and raise concerns around the agenda for adult education