How Much is Enough?: Money and the Good Life

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How Much is Enough?: Money and the Good Life

How Much is Enough?: Money and the Good Life is a book written by Robert Skidelsky and Edward Skidelsky. The book explores the relationship between wealth, happiness, and the concept of the good life. It was first published in 2012.

Overview

The authors argue that the pursuit of economic growth and material wealth has overshadowed the more important goal of achieving a good life. They draw on the ideas of the economist John Maynard Keynes, who predicted that technological advancements would lead to a significant reduction in working hours, allowing people to focus on non-materialistic pursuits.

Key Themes

The Good Life

The book delves into the philosophical concept of the good life, which is often associated with Aristotle's idea of eudaimonia. The authors suggest that modern society has lost sight of what constitutes a good life, focusing instead on consumerism and materialism.

Economic Growth and Happiness

The Skidelskys critique the notion that economic growth and increased GDP necessarily lead to greater happiness. They argue that beyond a certain point, additional wealth does not significantly contribute to well-being and may even detract from it.

Work and Leisure

One of the central arguments of the book is that modern society places too much emphasis on work and not enough on leisure. The authors advocate for a reduction in working hours, allowing individuals more time to engage in activities that contribute to their overall happiness and fulfillment.

Reception

How Much is Enough? received positive reviews for its thought-provoking analysis and its challenge to conventional economic wisdom. Critics praised the book for its insightful critique of modern capitalism and its call for a reevaluation of societal values.

Authors

Robert Skidelsky

Robert Skidelsky is a British economic historian and a biographer of John Maynard Keynes. He is a member of the House of Lords and has written extensively on economic theory and policy.

Edward Skidelsky

Edward Skidelsky is a British philosopher and lecturer at the University of Exeter. His work focuses on ethics and the philosophy of happiness.

See Also

• John Maynard Keynes
• Eudaimonia
• Economic growth
• Consumerism
• Materialism
• Work-life balance