Name: Conscious hedonism and basic needs.
Start: 2022-05-24T11:30:00+01:00
End: 2022-05-24T12:45:00+01:00
Location: Room 3.05 32L, LSE

Conscious hedonism and basic needs.

CASE, The London School of Economics

Invitation to discuss Orsolya Lelkes's book 'Sustainable Hedonism'.

Room 3.05 32L, LSE

Our model of progress appears to fail: there is no single country on Earth that has achieved a social minimum while also remaining below the ecological ceiling. The recent International Panel on Climate Change (ICPP) report as well as other evidence urge for a major systemic adjustment. Lelkes argues that flourishing life (or eudaimonia, based on the ancient Greek concept by Aristotle, complemented by modern psychological research) can be a normative framework inspiring individual and collective solutions. Its key elements are (1) conscious actions (2) with an awareness of “friendship” and the community, (3) a “middle-way” with respect to pleasures, between painful asceticism and indulgence. Ancient Greek hedonism philosophers cultivated the skills for a pleasurable life, but at the same time emphasized inner freedom without being enslaved to our desires. In other words, “wants” are distinguished from “needs” (Max-Neef, Ian Gough). For this, autonomy is essential, and it differs from individualism. The key task of social policies is to provide basic security and to foster the key elements of flourishing, as these enable individuals to follow more pro-social and pro-ecological life strategies. If basic needs are finite, as argued by modern theorists, sustainable development is possible. There are clearly long-term social gains of such policies, enabling both our survival and our thriving. The presentation is based on Dr Lelkes’ recent book titled „Sustainable Hedonism. A Thriving Life that Does not Cost the Earth” (Bristol University Press, May 2021). She gratefully acknowledges the support of late Sir Prof John Hills in making it happen and intends to celebrate the completion of the book at CASE with this talk.

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CASE Social Exclusion Seminar: Stephen Brien (Chair of the SSAC)

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