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Exploring Caring Economies and Alleviating Suffering

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Part of the book series: Social Indicators Research Series ((SINS,volume 67))

Abstract

A caring economy is one that supports policies and rules based on the value of caring for ourselves, others, and nature. The ideas around caring for ourselves and our environment, and caregiving to others, are instrumental to the underlying ethos of caring economics. Market-based economics tend not to explicitly address issues around compassion, caring, empathy, or well-being. Instead, its focus is on self-interest, which presumably is necessary for rational decision-making by maximizing an individual’s utility. Or is it? Some challenge this assumption and describe ways that compassion and empathy can be taught, can be integrated into structures of business, organizations, and communities, and essentially push toward more caring economies. Suffering is often directly tied to economic well-being so the implications are significant for many. This chapter explores ideas about caring economies and approaches that may help alleviate suffering.

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Correspondence to Rhonda Phillips .

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Kocaoğlu, M., Phillips, R. (2017). Exploring Caring Economies and Alleviating Suffering. In: Anderson, R. (eds) Alleviating World Suffering. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 67. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51391-1_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51391-1_26

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-51390-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-51391-1

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