PhilosophersRichard Easterlin
Richard Easterlin
Beyond a certain level, getting richer does not make a society happier.
1926 · 2024 United StatesRidgefield Park (New Jersey)
Life
American economist (1926-2024), professor at the University of Southern California. He showed in 1974 that at a given moment richer people report being happier, but over time a country's average happiness does not rise with its wealth: the 'Easterlin paradox'. The finding feeds the debate on what makes a happy life.
Main works
1973
Does Money Buy Happiness?
When everyone gets richer, no one on average feels better off.
1974
Does Economic Growth Improve the Human Lot?
The paper stating the paradox that bears his name.
In his own words
« But when everyone acts on this assumption and incomes generally increase, no one, on the average, feels better off. »