A Marxian approach to wellbeing: Human nature and use value

Watson, David ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7199-2866 (2021) A Marxian approach to wellbeing: Human nature and use value. In: A Modern Guide to Wellbeing Research. Edward Elgar Publishing, pp. 51-67. ISBN 9781789900156

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Abstract

The resurgence of well-being as a political priority, object of research interest and individual life goal appears to redress the excesses of capitalism and the dominance of economic growth as the marker of success and progress. However, despite its rediscovery being driven in part by a critique of capitalism, well-being has also proved amenable to furthering accumulation and individualistic consumption. Paradoxically, many interpretations and applications of the term wellbeing do not challenge neoliberal economic perspectives and practices but are complementary to them. In this chapter I draw on the work of Karl Marx, particularly his early writings, to develop a critical Marxian approach to wellbeing, exploring the possibilities and limitations of such an approach. Marx considered the organisation of work and society under capitalism to alienate human beings from their essential human nature replacing the pursuit of wellbeing with the pursuit of wages and wealth.

Item Type:	Book Section
Uncontrolled Keywords:	sdg 8 - decent work and economic growth ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/decent_work_and_economic_growth
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	17 Nov 2020 00:30
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2023 03:45
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/77713
DOI:	10.4337/9781789900163.00012

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