Human Flourishing = Happiness

We see a new perspective on human growth and overall flourishing in Ryan Hanley's 'Adam Smith and Human Flourishing.' The main point of Smith's concept of flourishing was happiness, something we definitely need more of in this world. But his argument went to say that in order for us to flourish economically, politically, and morally we need to put into consideration the well-being of everyone else as well as the being of ourselves.

Flourishing, you could say, was a popular word among Smith's writings. Its traditional meaning refers to the healthy state of a society or individual. This definition is the founding point of his steps towards human flourishing.

The first topic is economic flourishing. Smith shows that he wants to help the people of lower rank by improving their circumstances. This was not a 100% participation by the people though. One problem he faced was the argument that increasing wages for workers would equal new taste for luxury and eventually lead to incentive laziness and dissatisfaction with previous conditions. Smith was not fazed and continued on his claims of human flourishing. But how could society be happy and flourishing if the majority of it is not? The working class who provides everyone else can barely care for themselves or their families; that is why Smith created this. To put those who do the most at equal with everyone, therefore making everything work together. 

Next we see Adam Smith's stance on political flourishing. In his book, 'The Theory of Moral Sentiments', he writes on how human flourishing is related to economic liberty, and how "one thing promotes the flourishing society as a whole." His book interprets a world where exchanges of sympathy encourage the people in that society to go on and grow to navigate life in a modern market society. Though this is more complicated, his plan would indeed create the world he was imagining. He goes on to compare two societies, one happy and flourishing, and one where there is no mutual love. The seemingly sadder society does not look like a place where you would want to live and grow. In fact, you couldn't grow. Although he says that one could indeed live in this society and it would be among different men, the society that 'flourishes and is happy' is "bound together into one common center by love and affection." Smith did realize that the difficulties were too great to even attempt the best society because, again, we are human.

His last point focuses a little more on self and individuality in the topic of moral flourishing. With such different challenges and problems in this world, it was very important to Smith to define the virtues necessary for success in order to create the happiness in our own world. He stated, "How selfish soever man may be supposed.. interest him in the fortune.. (and happiness).. of others.. though he derives nothing from it except the pleasure of seeing it." His fact that individuals that are happy and flourish, make others want to do the same. This is the truth, we see it everywhere and with people we are connected with. When someone is prospering, we want to chase after it; we dream of becoming successful like them. In a sense, their happiness is our happiness. Isn't that what makes the world go round? 

"What defines the flourishing society is not the condition of the few but the condition on the majority..."