Human happiness and the pursuit of maximization : is more always better? /

This book tests the critical potential of happiness research to evaluate contemporary high-performance societies. These societies, defined as affluent capitalist societies, emphasize competition and success both  institutionally and culturally. Growing affluence improves life in many ways, for a lar...

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Detalhes bibliográficos
Autor Corporativo: SpringerLink (Online service)
Outros Autores: Delhey, Jan, Brockmann, Hilke
Formato: livro electrónico
Idioma:English
Publicado em: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 2013.
Colecção:Happiness Studies Book Series
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Descrição
Resumo:This book tests the critical potential of happiness research to evaluate contemporary high-performance societies. These societies, defined as affluent capitalist societies, emphasize competition and success both  institutionally and culturally. Growing affluence improves life in many ways, for a large number of people. We lead longer, safer, and more comfortable lives than previous generations. But we also live faster, and are competition-toughened, like top athletes. As a result, we suspect limits and detect downsides of our high-speed lives. The ubiquitous maximization principle opens up a systematic gateway to the pleasures and pains of contemporary life. Using happiness as a reference point, this book explores the philosophical and empirical limits of the maximization rule. It considers the answer to questions such as: Precisely, why did the idea of (economic) maximization gain so much ground in our Western way of thinking? When, and in which life domains, does maximization work, when does it fail? When do qualities and when do quantities matter? Does maximization yield a different (un)happiness dividend in different species, cultures, and societies?
Descrição Física:1 online resource (VIII, 216 pages.) 18 illustrations. digital
ISBN:9789400766099
ISSN:2213-7513