The removal of purpose in human activity: an approach to self-exploitation in the society of hyperconsumption

Abstract

This philosophical essay condenses a contemporary Aristotelian vision of happiness mediated by the society of self-exploitation and hyperconsumption, key philosophical categories to understand the modern world. The objective of this work is to analyze the result of having removed from the concept of happiness what is called τέλος or purpose, product of its relationship with the society of hyperconsumption and self-exploitation. The methodology used was based on the etymological analysis and the philosophical reading of the relationship between the categories happiness, hyperconsumption and self-exploitation in the context of today’s society. The results of this reading show that the concept of happiness, by losing its meaning, its τέλος, has ended up becoming pure ενέργεια, which radicalizes the ability of the human being to fall into hyperconsumption and self-exploitation.