[Marxism] psychological impact of capitalism

["Charles Brown" <cbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks to fat cat on an email list in a galaxy far away.

Charles



http://www.altruists.org/ideas/economics/post-autistic/Default.asp

"Maslow's hierarchy of needs predicts that if securely fed and housed,
people's well-being depends less on material goods, more on factors such
as good relationships with and love of others. However, most people are
in the thrall of an economic system that ignores this fact, and
punishing generosity but rewarding unnatural selfishness. This results
in cognitive dissonance, because people feel forced to do things of
which they disapprove, leaving them feeling guilty, disempowered and
depressed. This would seem to explain why depression is booming even
amidst materially prospering populations. Although a human tragedy, this
epidemic of depression is a boon for the economy, since consumer culture
feeds off people's low self-esteem by encouraging self-indulgence and
escapism, resulting in a viscious circle of increasing consumption and
decreasing well-being."

http://www.altruists.org/ideas/psychology/depression/Default.asp

A mathematical model for behavioral economics as a social norm:
http://www.altruists.org/ideas/economics/behavioral/Default.asp




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