The Instrumentalisation of Life: Why Art and Nature Are Sold as Means to an End
This opinion piece by Julian Baggini critiques the growing trend of instrumentalisation, where activities traditionally valued for their intrinsic worth, such as art, sex, and nature, are increasingly promoted solely for their utilitarian benefits. The author highlights a recent National Art Pass campaign in the UK that markets museum visits as a way to extend lifespan rather than enrich the soul, contrasting this with the ideal of 'art for art’s sake.' Baggini traces this reductive worldview back to trends like Gretchen Rubin’s 'The Happiness Project,' which framed human interactions, such as hugging, as mechanical tools for hormone regulation and mood enhancement. The article argues that this pervasive mindset strips meaning from life’s most valued experiences by focusing exclusively on quantitative outcomes like health metrics or productivity. By treating everything as a means to an end, society risks losing sight of true value and spiritual fulfillment. The author contends that this shift is not only insidious but profoundly damaging, urging a return to appreciating activities for their own sake rather than their material or physiological advantages.
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The Instrumentalisation of Life: Why Art and Nature Are Sold as Means to an End
This opinion piece by Julian Baggini critiques the growing trend of instrumentalisation, where activities traditionally valued for their intrinsic worth, such as art, sex, and nature, are increasingly promoted solely for their utilitarian benefits. The author highlights a recent National Art Pass campaign in the UK that markets museum visits as a way to extend lifespan rather than enrich the soul, contrasting this with the ideal of 'art for art’s sake.' Baggini traces this reductive worldview back to trends like Gretchen Rubin’s 'The Happiness Project,' which framed human interactions, such as hugging, as mechanical tools for hormone regulation and mood enhancement. The article argues that this pervasive mindset strips meaning from life’s most valued experiences by focusing exclusively on quantitative outcomes like health metrics or productivity. By treating everything as a means to an end, society risks losing sight of true value and spiritual fulfillment. The author contends that this shift is not only insidious but profoundly damaging, urging a return to appreciating activities for their own sake rather than their material or physiological advantages.
The Guardian