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Smith's formulation has been universally praised without any criticism.
Smith's formulation has been universally praised without any criticism.
False
Matt Ridley's book argues that selfishness in capitalism leads to innovation and can lift people out of poverty.
Matt Ridley's book argues that selfishness in capitalism leads to innovation and can lift people out of poverty.
True
Ridley believes that material prosperity has no connection with happiness.
Ridley believes that material prosperity has no connection with happiness.
False
The ideas stemming from Smith and Bentham are often reflected in contemporary political platforms.
The ideas stemming from Smith and Bentham are often reflected in contemporary political platforms.
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Ridley's portrayal of capitalism includes acknowledgment of the negative effects, such as climate change.
Ridley's portrayal of capitalism includes acknowledgment of the negative effects, such as climate change.
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Utilitarianism is associated with the idea of 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number'.
Utilitarianism is associated with the idea of 'the greatest happiness of the greatest number'.
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Zadie Smith describes a harmonious society in contemporary London.
Zadie Smith describes a harmonious society in contemporary London.
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The principle of a division of labor is widely accepted as beneficial for society according to classical economic thinkers.
The principle of a division of labor is widely accepted as beneficial for society according to classical economic thinkers.
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Indigenous agriculture and hunting emphasized individual survival over group survival.
Indigenous agriculture and hunting emphasized individual survival over group survival.
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The British-owned Peruvian Amazon Company used terror to reshape the Amazonian Putumayo region.
The British-owned Peruvian Amazon Company used terror to reshape the Amazonian Putumayo region.
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John Locke argued that only agriculturalists had the right to possess land as property.
John Locke argued that only agriculturalists had the right to possess land as property.
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Roger Casement supported the actions of the Peruvian Amazon Company.
Roger Casement supported the actions of the Peruvian Amazon Company.
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The settlers believed that obtaining property was unimportant for their happiness.
The settlers believed that obtaining property was unimportant for their happiness.
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The indigenous laborers sought material gain through the system imposed by the rubber station chiefs.
The indigenous laborers sought material gain through the system imposed by the rubber station chiefs.
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The forced removal of the Cherokee people was celebrated by their leaders.
The forced removal of the Cherokee people was celebrated by their leaders.
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Indigenous peoples in the Putumayo region expressed a desire for wealth and luxury.
Indigenous peoples in the Putumayo region expressed a desire for wealth and luxury.
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Government officials viewed reservation lands as an economic commodity that should be developed.
Government officials viewed reservation lands as an economic commodity that should be developed.
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The Oglala Lakota people at Pine Ridge primarily viewed their lands for maximizing income.
The Oglala Lakota people at Pine Ridge primarily viewed their lands for maximizing income.
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Father Gridilla believed that indigenous people had a vast understanding of money and complex needs.
Father Gridilla believed that indigenous people had a vast understanding of money and complex needs.
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Settlers preferred to live a nomadic lifestyle rather than building permanent houses.
Settlers preferred to live a nomadic lifestyle rather than building permanent houses.
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Satisfaction among the indigenous laborers had to come from wanting more rather than contentment with what they had.
Satisfaction among the indigenous laborers had to come from wanting more rather than contentment with what they had.
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The poverty of the people at Pine Ridge incentivized them to commodify their lands.
The poverty of the people at Pine Ridge incentivized them to commodify their lands.
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Indigenous people's lands and autonomy have remained intact in the twenty-first century.
Indigenous people's lands and autonomy have remained intact in the twenty-first century.
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The incident described by Taussig involved an Indian refusing to accept goods because he felt he had everything he needed.
The incident described by Taussig involved an Indian refusing to accept goods because he felt he had everything he needed.
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The potlatch was banned in Canada under the Indian Act of 1884.
The potlatch was banned in Canada under the Indian Act of 1884.
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John A. MacDonald praised potlatches as beneficial customs for society.
John A. MacDonald praised potlatches as beneficial customs for society.
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The concept of egoism was central to the social structure of Native Americans as it was in Anglo-Saxon society.
The concept of egoism was central to the social structure of Native Americans as it was in Anglo-Saxon society.
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Potlatch ceremonies involved giving away prized possessions as a demonstration of strength.
Potlatch ceremonies involved giving away prized possessions as a demonstration of strength.
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Potlatch exchanges were seen as promoting capitalist development by the Canadian government.
Potlatch exchanges were seen as promoting capitalist development by the Canadian government.
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The practice of potlatch was recognized as a holistic system of governance and justice.
The practice of potlatch was recognized as a holistic system of governance and justice.
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Happiness in the context of potlatch was achieved solely through accumulating possessions.
Happiness in the context of potlatch was achieved solely through accumulating possessions.
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Settlers and missionaries supported potlatch customs as they valued economic progress.
Settlers and missionaries supported potlatch customs as they valued economic progress.
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The Europeans found the hills and canyons easily distinguishable when they arrived.
The Europeans found the hills and canyons easily distinguishable when they arrived.
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Tanner was taken from his family farm in Kentucky when he was twelve years old.
Tanner was taken from his family farm in Kentucky when he was twelve years old.
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The accumulation of capital by settlers was solely focused on monetary wealth, ignoring natural resources.
The accumulation of capital by settlers was solely focused on monetary wealth, ignoring natural resources.
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Standing Bear observed that the introduction of capitalism undermined the stability of Lakota society.
Standing Bear observed that the introduction of capitalism undermined the stability of Lakota society.
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Tanner eventually found it difficult to readjust to life outside of the Ojibwa community.
Tanner eventually found it difficult to readjust to life outside of the Ojibwa community.
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Charles Eastman's experiences in eastern cities revealed no poverty or slum conditions.
Charles Eastman's experiences in eastern cities revealed no poverty or slum conditions.
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Henry David Thoreau was one of the admirers of native North Americans for their relationship with nature.
Henry David Thoreau was one of the admirers of native North Americans for their relationship with nature.
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Eastman believed that whites measured everything in terms of money.
Eastman believed that whites measured everything in terms of money.
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Indigenous peoples in North America have fully embraced capitalist values according to the text.
Indigenous peoples in North America have fully embraced capitalist values according to the text.
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The text mentions that indigenous cultures support the idea that greed is the basis of civilization.
The text mentions that indigenous cultures support the idea that greed is the basis of civilization.
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According to Eastman, Indians had a different perspective on poverty compared to European settlers.
According to Eastman, Indians had a different perspective on poverty compared to European settlers.
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The 1868 Treaty between the United States and the Sioux was upheld during the gold rush.
The 1868 Treaty between the United States and the Sioux was upheld during the gold rush.
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Zadie Smith imagines that wealthy individuals find a sense of fulfillment from high-end dining experiences.
Zadie Smith imagines that wealthy individuals find a sense of fulfillment from high-end dining experiences.
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Tanner continued to sleep in a house after returning to his family.
Tanner continued to sleep in a house after returning to his family.
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Eastman’s writings contrasted humanitarian principles with the self-interest of settler society.
Eastman’s writings contrasted humanitarian principles with the self-interest of settler society.
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Nels Anderson was a sociologist associated with the Chicago School.
Nels Anderson was a sociologist associated with the Chicago School.
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Study Notes
Indigenous and Western Views of Happiness: Politics of Contentment
- Social tensions regarding happiness are evident in unequal societies, particularly highlighted during the Brexit referendum.
- This tension is symbolized by physical barriers in London, mirroring social divisions.
- Examples of economic inequality in London include a £5,000 cocktail, illustrating a culture obsessed with acquisition and consumption.
- Western societies link happiness to greed, acquisition, and consumption.
Western Theories of Happiness
- Concepts of happiness appeared in 19th-century Western thought.
- Utilitarianism linked happiness with individual self-interest and maximizing pleasure while minimizing pain.
- Philosophers like Bentham, Smith, and Mill emphasized self-interest as a driving force.
- This self-interest is connected to a capitalist worldview where economic success is a primary marker of happiness.
- Labor-based accumulation of wealth and possessions were considered crucial to happiness.
Colonization and Indigenous Happiness
- The British perspective on happiness influenced colonization. The notion of indigenous lands having low happiness values is connected to the drive to acquire, colonize and settle new lands.
- Wealth accumulation is presented by colonizers as a sign of progress and happiness.
- Indigenous happiness is associated with self-sufficiency and connections to land and community, in contrast to the acquisitive nature of many colonial settlers.
- The lack of a sense of greed or accumulation was sometimes seen as an indicator of a lower ranking position.
- Indigenous cultural practices for sharing and resource distribution challenged the Western notion of private property and individual gain.
Happiness and the Natural World
- Indigenous views of happiness often center on harmonious relations with the natural world and community.
- In contrast, Western settlers often view nature as a resource for exploitation. This leads to conflicts.
- Colonizers justify their actions/land policies by their own understanding of happiness.
- Indigenous people value giving and sharing over accumulating possessions for happiness.
- Colonization often undermined Indigenous ways of life and expressions of happiness.
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Description
Explore the contrasting perspectives of happiness in indigenous cultures compared to Western thought during the Brexit discourse. This quiz examines how economic inequality and philosophies of self-interest shape the understanding of happiness. Delve into the implications of consumption and capitalism on societal well-being.
