Review of James Mackaye, The Economy of Happiness

Abstract

This book argues that common sense is the key to happiness and that it can be applied to all aspects of life. The author defines common sense as a form of reasoning that is independent of personal beliefs and convictions. He argues that common sense can be used to solve problems in all areas of life, including the problem of happiness. The author begins by developing a system of logic, which he uses to analyze the nature of happiness and the factors that contribute to it. He then applies this framework to the social realm, arguing that happiness can be achieved through a social order based on principles of liberty, competition, and a balanced distribution of power. The book is a thoughtful exploration of the concept of happiness and its relation to social life, but it is also a somewhat utopian vision of a society based on common sense. – AI-generated abstract.