Sustainable Development, Wellbeing and Material Consumption: A Stoic Perspective

Kai Whiting, Leonidas Konstantakos, Angeles Carrasco and Luis Gabriel Carmona
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Kai Whiting: MARETEC—LARSyS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Leonidas Konstantakos: School of International and Public Affairs, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Angeles Carrasco: Mining and Industrial Engineering School of Almadén, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Plaza Manuel Meca 1, 13400 Almadén, Spain
Luis Gabriel Carmona: MARETEC—LARSyS, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida Rovisco Pais 1, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: Since the introduction of neoclassical economic theory, material wealth and accumulation have been linked to hedonic wellbeing. In turn, Utilitarian notions have generated the belief that infinite growth is not only good but necessary for society to prosper. Unsurprisingly, this belief system has supported the considerable depletion of natural resources and has not always led to social equitability or environmental justice, two pillars of sustainable development. Given these limitations, this paper looks into eudaimonic wellbeing, as defined by Stoicism. The latter originating in Classical Greece and Ancient Rome, has been used throughout the centuries to discuss and support the flourishing of individuals, but has rarely been applied to collective wellbeing. Consequently, we explore whether, and to what extent, this virtue-based philosophy can answer questions regarding the value and the role of material acquisition in societal development, as directed by sustainable policy. We propose the idea that the Stoic emphasis on prudence, self-control, courage and justice, as the only means to achieve “happiness”, is intrinsically linked to sustainable wellbeing and that its principles can be used to demonstrate that society does not require limitless growth to flourish.

Keywords: environment; eudaimonia; material services; Stoicism; sustainability; wellbeing economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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