Does Money Buy Happiness?
" . . . But it does capture nicely how well the emerging commercial economies of the eighteenth century coincided with the new ethics of pleasure announced by Locke and his many continental admirers. By buying and selling luxury items and services with the explicit aim of enhancing pleasure and reducing pain, men and women pursued happiness in the manner that both Locke and Hobbes had described -- as a 'continual progress of the desire, from one object to another, the attaining of the former being still but the way to the latter.' " --McMahon, Happiness: A History, page 206
" . . . But his friend Mr. Darcy soon drew the attention of the room by his fine, tall person, handsome features, noble mein; and the report which was in general circulation within five minutes after his entrance, of his having ten thousand a year." - Austen, Pride and Prejudice, page 49
In regards to the question above, it certainly appears to be the case. Notice how the room as a collective unit appreciates Mr. Darcy much more than Mr. Bingley, the friendly gentleman, after the knowledge circulated that Darcy makes much more than Bingley. This is a theme in a myriad of eighteenth and nineteenth century novels, especially in regards to single women looking for prospects. I found it incredibly interesting how McMahon paralleled the emergence of happiness with the growing economy. It's fascinating how aspects of life intersect. What is it about money that makes us happy? It would seem to me to be the stability. It certainly makes sense in regards to the aforementioned single women, who weren't able to make a living for themselves. There's an interesting quote from Luce Irigaray, a French feminist, speaking on how since women were more or less seen as the "scene of rival exchange" between men, it made sense that these goods were unable to relate to other such goods on the market with anything other than "aggressive jealousy." Even something as complex as a human being can be reduced into economic terms.
In regards to the question above, it certainly appears to be the case. Notice how the room as a collective unit appreciates Mr. Darcy much more than Mr. Bingley, the friendly gentleman, after the knowledge circulated that Darcy makes much more than Bingley. This is a theme in a myriad of eighteenth and nineteenth century novels, especially in regards to single women looking for prospects. I found it incredibly interesting how McMahon paralleled the emergence of happiness with the growing economy. It's fascinating how aspects of life intersect. What is it about money that makes us happy? It would seem to me to be the stability. It certainly makes sense in regards to the aforementioned single women, who weren't able to make a living for themselves. There's an interesting quote from Luce Irigaray, a French feminist, speaking on how since women were more or less seen as the "scene of rival exchange" between men, it made sense that these goods were unable to relate to other such goods on the market with anything other than "aggressive jealousy." Even something as complex as a human being can be reduced into economic terms.
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