| This question <3|1> overall <3|5> Hans: <2|6>. |
| Question 2: Can one say that true wealth is happiness? |
| [4] Hans: Not very well, I am afraid One often hears what you wrote in [3], MsMarx. The disdain of material things under the motto: “real wealth does not consist of material things but real wealth is happiness” is one of the many ideologies floating around which prevent people from seeing their exploitation. People cannot fail to notice that their labor enriches only their bosses and not themselves, but then they tell themselves: this is not important, what matters is happiness, and I have a happy family and good friends, therefore I am wealthy. |
| I assigned question 2 in order to debunk this myth. In the Annotations you will find the definition: “wealth is anything that enhances human life.” Therefore wealth is a means, not an end. Happiness does not fit under this definition of wealth. Happiness is the result of a fulfilled life, but it is not the means to have a fulfilled life. From the fact that some people manage to be happy without needing much material wealth does not follow that the distribution of material wealth is irrelevant. Everyone should have equal access to wealth, whether or not they use this wealth wisely, and whether or not other avenues to happiness are open to them. |
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