In this book, author Svein Olaf Thorbjørnsen probes the question:
What is at stake for human beings in a society dominated by
competition, particularly economic competition? Is competition endemic
to human nature? Does it preserve the dignity and intrinsic value of
the human being? Does it secure better living conditions? In a way,
the answer to these queries is a simple “yes.” It can allow for
superior satisfaction of fundamental needs; legitimate self-love and
self-realization; and encourage positive feelings upon mastering a
skill. At the same time, however, competition can also contribute to a
strong materialistic self-interest and support classicism, social
ranking, and elitism: other human beings become only means to a
personal success, thus jeopardizing fellowship and collaboration. In a
hyper-competitive environment, some of the same positive human values
mentioned above—self-love, self-realisation, individuality, and
freedom—can be viewed to pose a threat to the realisation of one’s
potential and to one’s true humanity. These competing, contradictory
aspects of competition are presented and discussed from perspectives
across varying disciplines, from social anthropology and economics to
history, ethics, philosophy and theology.
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Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9783030221331
Publisert
2020
Utgiver
Vendor
Palgrave Macmillan
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter