The Economics of Meaning in Life: From Capitalist Life Syndrome to Meaning-Oriented Economy

There is not such a thing as value-free economics. All economic theories prescribe a unique meaning in life. What meanings are hidden in economic theories? How can we live a meaningful life despite the meanings that economists and politicians promote? The Economics of Meaning in Life offers a unique multidisciplinary study that systematically examines the meanings that are often hidden in economic and political debates. This book starts with a brief world history of how people have experienced meaning in different economic systems. For example, authors on capitalism often have a rational focus on materialistic and self-oriented types of meaning in life. Subsequently, the book describes research showing that many individuals feel taken hostage by this capitalist perspective, but simultaneously defend its meanings. This is the Capitalist Life Syndrome, named after the Stockholm Syndrome where hostages like their hostage-takers and develop a psychological alliance with them. Similar to the Communist Life Syndrome, individuals take over this capitalist approach to meaning even though these syndromes may not be good for their mental health. In response to the Capitalist Life Syndrome, increasing numbers of people want personal and societal change. A review of research discussed in the book shows that increasing numbers of people have started to focus on social and larger types of meaning since the 2007/2008 market crash: the meaning-oriented economy. Many aspects of the economy are transforming, from personal job-motivation to organisation structures, human resource management, and production. People search for new meaning within, outside, against, and beyond capitalism. This meaning-oriented trend is the future of economics, according to leaders in for example the World Economic Forum. This is the first book to integrate systematic empirical studies on meaning in life with economic theory, written by a leading researcher on meaning. The author makes his insights accessible with examples ranging from conversations with London CEO's and Ugandan orphans to political uprisings in Latin America, environmentalist campaigns, and COVID-19. The author defends the human right to a meaningful life and recommends practical meaning-oriented steps for political campaigners. The Economics of Meaning in Life is for all readers who are interested in the real life-world hiding behind the veils of traditional economics and politics. This book should be required reading for all students of economics, psychology, sociology, and philosophy. Because everyone deserves a meaningful life.

About the Author :
Dr Joel Vos, PhD, MSc, MA, CPsychol, is a psychologist, philosopher, researcher and psychological counsellor in the UK, specialised in existential psychology and psychotherapies. He is researcher at the Metanoia Institute and leads the Professional Doctorate in Existential Psychotherapy and Counselling at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling. He is the organiser of the IMEC International Meaning Conferences and the London Critical University. He has over 70 research publications. Recent books include Mental health in crisis (SAGE) and Meaning in Life: an evidence-based handbook for practitioners (Palgrave McMillan).

Review :
Joel Vos's The Economics of Meaning in Life is the vanguard of revolutionary new approach to economics that finally removes that field from the domination of capitalist ideology and materialist reductionist views of human nature. Progressives in universities should insist that their own departments of economics hire at least one person who promotes this book and further develops the creative ideas that Vos presents. Rabbi Professor Michael Lerner Joel Vos is a brilliant scholar with an astonishing sweep of knowledge across economics, history, philosophy, psychology, and culture. The book is a must read for reflective citizens who care. There is inspiration to be found in embracing its core idea-that leading a meaningful and fulfilling life is a basic human right. Carol Ryff, Hilldale Professor of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Joel Vos's The Economics of Meaning is a brilliant analysis of both the ways in which capitalism colonizes and destroys not just any viable notion of economics but also the very spirit of humanity. How we live our lives far exceeds the dictates of a market and its pernicious values. Vos makes clear that the lived experiences, values, sense of social responsibility, and compassion are at the heart of what it means to live life meaningfully in a society that takes seriously the meaning of democracy. Professor Henry Giroux The alternative--creating social systems that support and celebrate the highest human aspirations for meaningful life--is inspiring, and, as thousands of research studies show, not only practical, not only necessary, but also glorious. Professor Michael Steger Joel Vos has provided a challenge for us, individually and collectively, to examine what the mainstream of a capitalist economy has had upon, what we consider to be, the meaning of our lives. Basically, he has found that the system has established standards of what has worth that contains an important paradox. To whatever degrees we measure up to the markers of success, we find something missing when we consider what meaning we find in our lives. The economic system has left an imprint on our minds in which a disconnection from others and our ecology leaves us feeling anxious and unresolved. As Vos points out, the impact has been so pervasive through culture that its place as a source of our psychological distress is typically out of view. The contribution of this well researched and highly readable book is to remove the veil. In it we find a way to remake our economic system in ways that allow us to appreciate the deeper reaches of our connection to life, to our communities, and to our habitat. Marc Pilisuk, Professor Emeritus, The University of California; Faculty, Saybrook University, author of The Hidden Structure of Violence: Who Benefits from Global Violence and War and Peace Movements Worldwide