Wellbeing and Aspirational Culture, 1st ed. 2019

This book addresses the paradox that, despite quantifiable advances, people often struggle to experience positive wellbeing. Kevin Moore argues that two key insights can help resolve this paradox: first, that we live in an ?aspirational culture? that has its roots in the agrarian revolution and now demands constant economic growth, individual ambition, and self-improvement while promoting change and uncertainty; and second, that we are persons, and persons are created when cultures interact with our biology. Accordingly, our wellbeing depends on how personhood develops through that interaction.

Bringing together wellbeing and personhood research from multiple disciplines, Moore explains how aspirational cultures are detrimental to wellbeing because they consistently undermine and disrupt the ordinary tasks of life that are essential to sustaining our personhood and wellbeing. He concludes that if we are serious about improving wellbeing, we have to create a culture not based on aspiration but which, instead, focuses on supporting persons and personhood.   

Chapter 1. Introduction: Wellbeing in an Aspirational World.- Chapter 2. Understanding Aspirational Culture.- Chapter 3. Understanding Wellbeing.- Chapter 4. Persons, Selves, and Wellbeing.- Chapter 5. Persons and Their Wellbeing.- Chapter 6. Aspirational Culture in the Balance.- Chapter 7. Wellbeing at Work and at Play.- Chapter 8. In Praise of Ordinariness: The Wisdom of Living.

Kevin Moore is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, Department of Tourism, Sport and Society at Lincoln University, New Zealand. He has taught courses on the social psychology of wellbeing since 2009 and for thirty years has researched theoretical psychology, wellbeing, and leisure.

Addresses the paradox that, despite quantifiable advances, people often struggle to experience positive wellbeing

Brings together wellbeing and personhood research from multiple disciplines

Explains how aspirational cultures are detrimental to wellbeing