Poor Richard's Principle
Book Description
In an era where countless Americans find themselves working longer hours yet feeling spiritually unfulfilled, sociologist Robert Wuthnow offers a profound examination of what has gone wrong with our relationship to work, wealth, and meaning. Poor Richard's Principle argues that the American Dream faces a crisis not of economics, but of moral foundation.
Wuthnow reveals how previous generations understood success differently, viewing work and money through the lens of deeper commitments to family bonds, community engagement, and humanitarian service. This moral framework once provided both practical guidance and spiritual purpose, creating a sustainable vision of prosperity that nourished the whole person.
Today's families struggle to balance demanding careers with meaningful relationships, resist the relentless pull of consumer culture, and discover genuine purpose in their professional lives. Through careful analysis of these contemporary challenges, Wuthnow demonstrates how we have lost touch with the wisdom that once anchored American aspirations.
The author points to historical figures like Benjamin Franklin as models of integrated living, showing how one person could embody practical wisdom, civic responsibility, and joyful engagement with life. By reconnecting with these forgotten principles, Wuthnow suggests, we can rediscover a path toward both material well-being and spiritual fulfillment.
This thoughtful exploration offers hope for anyone seeking to align their work life with their deepest values and highest aspirations.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~12 hours)
📄 Length: 429 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Social values
- ✓ Create spiritual family harmony
- ✓ Explore Wealth, moral and ethical aspects
- ✓ Explore Materialisme
- ✓ Explore Travail
- ✓ Explore Morale des affaires
- ✓ Explore Moral and ethical aspects
- ✓ Explore Sociale waarden
