Human Happiness and the Pursuit of Maximization - Is More Always Better? (Hardcover, 2013 ed.)

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? "

General

Imprint:	Springer
Country of origin:	Netherlands
Series:	Happiness Studies Book Series
Release date:	July 2013
First published:	2013
Editors:	Hilke Brockmann • Jan Delhey
Dimensions:	235 x 155 x 18mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	216
Edition:	2013 ed.
ISBN-13:	978-9400766082
Categories:	Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Social issues > General Books > Social sciences > Psychology > Philosophy & theory of psychology > General Books > Business & Economics > Economics > Macroeconomics > General Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Zoology & animal sciences > Animal behaviour
LSN:	9400766084
Barcode:	9789400766082

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