Can We-and Should We-Measure Well-Being?

Mark White ()

Review of Social Economy, 2013, vol. 71, issue 4, 526-533

Abstract: In this article, I argue that recent criticisms of happiness research in economics can be extended to any conception of well-being used for scientific or policymaking purposes. These criticisms are both practical and ethical: well-being is not only impossible to define, measure, or implement, but its use also offends human dignity through unjust distribution of harm and value substitution. On this basis, I recommend the abandonment of welfare economics and urge social economists to propose new approaches to addressing social problems that are more focused and respect the dignity of persons.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1080/00346764.2013.840432

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