Christendom College Professor John Cuddeback Writes New Book on Friendship: The Art of Happiness

Christendom Philosophy professor John Cuddeback always looks forward to the last few weeks of his Introduction to Philosophy course. It is then he has the joy of teaching Aristotles treatment of the nature of friendship, as laid out in the Nicomachean Ethics. Recently Cuddeback has taken the insights of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas on friendship to a broader audience. This month his first book, Friendship: The Art of Happiness, is being released.

Cuddeback had been considering writing a book on friendship when he received a phone call from the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS). FOCUS wanted a book on friendship that would be accessible to the undergraduate students involved in its study programs at campuses across the country. Teaching the Introduction to Philosophy course at Christendom had prepared Cuddeback to write just such a book.

According to Peter Kreeft, philosophy professor at Boston College, Friendship has not ceased being one of lifes greatest goods -- but it has ceased being one of modern philosophers favorite topics. John Cuddeback redresses that injustice with a book that impressively combines ancient wisdom (Socrates, Aristotle, Aquinas) with modern experiences, faith with reason, and principles with practicality. It is wonderfully clear and concise, and ranges from topics as traditional as a map of the different kinds of friendships to topics as modern as advice about dating. This book is very wise, very practical, and very much needed."

And Catholic luminary Alice von Hildebrand highly recommends the book, commenting that John Cuddeback shows convincingly that in a real friendship, man can have a taste of true happiness. Basing his rich analysis on the works of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas, he demonstrates that true friendship based on virtue benefits the individual, family life, and social life."

The teaching of Aristotle and St. Thomas on friendship moved me more than anything else I have ever studied," says Cuddeback. It is a great joy for me to be able to share this treasure with a broader audience." But Cuddeback has no intention of being distracted from the main focus of his intellectual work: teaching in the classroom. In his Acknowledgments he thanks his students in philosophy at Christendom College, [whose] enthusiasm, insight, and questions are always an inspiration to me."

Friendship: The Art of Happiness costs $11.95 and can be obtained by calling (970) 336-9881 or by visiting www.focusonline.org.