Hardback
A Research Agenda for Social Wellbeing
This Research Agenda for Social Wellbeing introduces scholars and planners to the importance of a ‘wellbeing lens’ for the study and promotion of social flourishing. It demonstrates the importance of wellbeing as a public good, not just a property of individuals.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
Elgar Research Agendas outline the future of research in a given area. Leading scholars are given the space to explore their subject in provocative ways, and map out the potential directions of travel. They are relevant but also visionary.
This Research Agenda for Social Wellbeing introduces scholars and planners to the importance of a ‘wellbeing lens’ for the study and promotion of social flourishing. It demonstrates the importance of wellbeing as a public good, not just a property of individuals.
Synthesising wellbeing research from multiple disciplines, including sociology, public health, urban and social planning, moral philosophy and development studies, chapters illustrate how the wellbeing lens promotes positivity, understanding of a variety of viewpoints and systematic appreciation of lives in their social contexts. Encouraging appreciative learning and aspirational planning, Neil Thin looks beyond the implicit ‘OK’ line of minimal decent standards in order to appreciate and promote moral progress.
As an illuminating summary of the field, offering new avenues for employing social wellbeing research across multiple disciplines, this book will be key reading for scholars and students of sociology, development studies and anthropology. It will also benefit practitioners, such as planners, evaluators and social workers in need of practical insights into social wellbeing issues.
This Research Agenda for Social Wellbeing introduces scholars and planners to the importance of a ‘wellbeing lens’ for the study and promotion of social flourishing. It demonstrates the importance of wellbeing as a public good, not just a property of individuals.
Synthesising wellbeing research from multiple disciplines, including sociology, public health, urban and social planning, moral philosophy and development studies, chapters illustrate how the wellbeing lens promotes positivity, understanding of a variety of viewpoints and systematic appreciation of lives in their social contexts. Encouraging appreciative learning and aspirational planning, Neil Thin looks beyond the implicit ‘OK’ line of minimal decent standards in order to appreciate and promote moral progress.
As an illuminating summary of the field, offering new avenues for employing social wellbeing research across multiple disciplines, this book will be key reading for scholars and students of sociology, development studies and anthropology. It will also benefit practitioners, such as planners, evaluators and social workers in need of practical insights into social wellbeing issues.
Critical Acclaim
‘Now more than ever it is vitally important for us to understand that wellbeing is not a solo job. Neil Thin has written an original, masterful book on the good life as a social endeavor. Lively and full of insight and optimism, it will help set the agenda for research and action on wellbeing.’
– Dan Haybron, Saint Louis University, US
‘This book is needed right now. Planners, policy makers and politicians ought to read it. It’s a serious new look at wellbeing that goes beyond the usual individualistic notions to appreciate the social dimensions of a good and fulfilling life.’
– Stephen Joseph, University of Nottingham, UK
‘The idea of wellbeing, while often controversial, has never been of more interest to academics, citizens and decision-makers alike. Written in a highly engaging and accessible manner, this book provides a thoughtful and provocative examination of efforts to document, interpret and appreciate the social dimensions of wellbeing and to promote reforms that pay more explicit attention to our ultimate personal and collective aspirations. It deserves to be read by all who seek to deepen their understanding of wellbeing and its contemporary relevance.’
– Ian Bache, The University of Sheffield, UK
– Dan Haybron, Saint Louis University, US
‘This book is needed right now. Planners, policy makers and politicians ought to read it. It’s a serious new look at wellbeing that goes beyond the usual individualistic notions to appreciate the social dimensions of a good and fulfilling life.’
– Stephen Joseph, University of Nottingham, UK
‘The idea of wellbeing, while often controversial, has never been of more interest to academics, citizens and decision-makers alike. Written in a highly engaging and accessible manner, this book provides a thoughtful and provocative examination of efforts to document, interpret and appreciate the social dimensions of wellbeing and to promote reforms that pay more explicit attention to our ultimate personal and collective aspirations. It deserves to be read by all who seek to deepen their understanding of wellbeing and its contemporary relevance.’
– Ian Bache, The University of Sheffield, UK
Contents
Contents: Preface and acknowledgements Introduction PART I: WELLBEING, SOCIAL FLOURISHING, AND MORAL PROGRESS 1. The wellbeing lens 2. Social flourishing and self-transcendence 3. Moral progress PART 2: APPRECIATIVE LEARNING 4. Appreciative social enquiry 5. Positive social epidemiology PART 3: ASPIRATIONAL SOCIAL PLANNING 6. Motivational and anticipatory wellbeing 7. Convivial society: living well together 8. Fair society: Justice, inequality, and mobility 9. Conclusions: Wellbeing literacy as a private and public good References Index
