On March 19, Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Grosshans, professor of systematic theology at the University of Münster, was invited to deliver a lecture titled "Happiness – Fortune – Misfortune: Reflections on the Contingency of Life and the Possibilities of a Good Life" at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Professor Grosshans challenged attendees to reconsider the meaning of "the good life," exploring the interplay of happiness, misfortune, and the role of faith in navigating an unpredictable world.
The lecture began by questioning the often-assumed equivalence between a happy life and a good life. As the promotional material stated, "Often a good life is identified with a happy life. But this identification has to be questioned." Prof. Grosshans explored the ambiguity of happiness, arguing that it is often a fleeting, passive experience, distinct from the active pursuit and holistic nature of a truly "good life." He drew a key distinction: happiness is something that happens to us, while a good life requires active engagement and encompasses broader values like justice, freedom, and the common good.
Professor Grosshans traced a historical arc in philosophical thought, noting that the question of "what is a good life" was largely abandoned for a period, with some philosophers, like G.E. Moore, even claiming the term "good" was indefinable. However, the late 20th and early 21st centuries have witnessed a resurgence of interest in this fundamental question, with thinkers revisiting its connection to happiness, success, meaning, and moral value.
A significant portion of the lecture was devoted to a theological perspective, particularly within the Christian tradition. Prof. Grosshans moved beyond a simplistic view of a divinely pre-ordained, perfectly ordered world. Instead, he presented a dynamic view of creation, drawing on the concept of creatio continua – God's ongoing, continuous act of creation. He quoted Martin Luther: "The preservation of the deep is a continual creation of it," and "something new is created again and again."
This evolutionary understanding of creation, the professor argued, necessitates a positive embrace of contingency – the understanding that events do not necessarily have to be as they are, but could be different. He stated, "If everything is all fixed, then there is no luck, there is no unluckiness." This is where faith enters the picture. Faith, in Grosshans's view, is not about explaining away contingency, but about finding meaning and solace within it. He cited D.Z. Phillips, describes how individuals in moments of extreme peril might feel their lives are "in God's hands," not as an explanation, but as an expression of awe and dependence on divine mercy.
Prof. Grosshans powerfully asserted, "God is the world, and life in the world is sovereignly contingent." This is not to suggest divine arbitrariness, but rather the boundless freedom and creative potential inherent in God's ongoing act of creation. This perspective enriches the relationship between humanity and God, moving beyond a static, transactional model to one of dynamic interaction and possibility.
The lecture concluded with a call to recognize and embrace the opportunities for happiness that arise from life's unpredictable nature, rather than focusing solely on misfortune. He urged a shift in perspective, encouraging attendees to see the "seeds of happiness" embedded within the randomness of existence, and to find, through faith, a deeper connection to the ongoing, creative work of the Almighty. In essence, Prof. Grosshans concluded, "Not in the avoidance of storms, but in their courageous navigation with faith, and with openness to the unexpected gifts of contingent life, lies the essence of a good life."
