Cover An Economic History of Happiness
series "Intersezioni"
pp. 360, Brossura, 978-88-15-27379-6
publication year 2017

EMANUELE FELICE

An Economic History of Happiness

Over the last two centuries, unprecedented progress in material conditions and technical and scientific knowledge have made us richer, more educated, and more free. But are we also happier? This book traces the history of the relationship between economic development and happiness. Over the course of human history, from the appearance of the first Hominids to the present day, there have been three major revolutions, that is, economic and cultural transformations that have changed our way of producing, thinking, and living... and our notion of happiness. After the “Garden of Eden” populated by hunters and gatherers, the agricultural revolution placed happiness beyond earthly desires and life. The industrial revolution made happiness possible as a result of human policies and actions. Finally, in today’s “global village”, two ideas of happiness have emerged: hedonistic happiness and ethical happiness. Although they may seem opposed to each other, they are not irreconcilable; perhaps a synthesis is possible.

Emanuele Felice teaches Applied Economics at the Gabriele D’Annunzio University in Pescara.

Spanish (world) rights sold.

Introduzione
I. Una storia perduta
1. Perché la felicità
2. Le tre rivoluzioni della storia umana...
3. ...e la rivoluzione delle idee
II. Il giardino dell'Eden
1. Il mito
2. Quel che c'è di vero
3. Il Buon selvaggio sterminatore
III. La valle di lacrime
1. La Rivoluzione agricola
2. Dalle tribù all'impero
3. La disuguaglianza
4. L'ascesi
5. La Città di Dio
IV. La Città dell'Uomo
1. Dove va la Storia
2. Perché in Europa? La peste, le esplorazioni e la Riforma
3. Qui, insieme
4. La Rivoluzione industriale
5. Il cammino per lo sviluppo umano
6. Dall'Utopia al Terrore
V. Il villaggio globale
1. La mano infelice
2. Paradisi artificiali
3. Sisifo, o l’imbroglio della felicità
VI. Coltivare la felicità
1. Etica per uno straniero
2. Il fiore del deserto
3. Le città delle donne
Conclusioni
Indice dei nomi