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About this quote

What does it mean?
Psychology mirrors property relations by appropriating individuals, offering them a prescribed happiness.
In plain terms
Psychology can treat people like objects, assigning them a set notion of happiness.
What can you take from it?
Be wary of systems that define happiness for you.

Where it applies

  • academic critique
  • self‑reflection

Putting it to work

  • question mental health narratives
  • maintain personal agency

Questions to consider

  • In what ways does psychology commodify individuals?
  • How can we retain autonomy over our happiness?

Another view

Not all psychological practice is coercive.

More from Theodor Adorno

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