Appendix
DETERMINANTS OF AN IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE
IN CONTEMPORARY UNITED STATES SOCIETY
The quality of one’s living is determined by a host of interrelated
economic, social, cultural, political, psychological, and physical cir-
cumstances, any one of which can change in positive or negative
direction. These circumstances which compose the quality of life might
be subject to something akin to B. J. von Liebig’s “law of the mini-
mum.” AppHed in this case, the absence of any one circumstance con-
sidered indispensable to a quality life negates the influence of all others.
Thus if one inhabited the most hospitable physical environment but
lacked food, his life would be without quality. Another example is
that of a man happily living in a satisfying neighborhood, who be-
comes discontented when a black family moves into the house next
door. When this man’s discontent becomes so great that he sacrifices
his home and goes elsewhere, his life has lost quaHty. He loses his
contentment because of his own hate, fear, and distrust and not be-
cause of any characteristic of the black family or of the physical
environment.
It follows, then, that the above set of circumstances relating to
the quality of life are socially dynamic; that is, they are moving,
changing targets and they have a goal and value content linked to a
resource content. This supposes then that an absolute quality of life
would exist when the composite set of circumstances produced a life
of complete satisfaction for everyone. This goal is unattainable but an
acceptable degree of satisfaction can be maintained if persons feel
that, on balance, progress is sustained toward the preferred or ideal-
ized circumstances. Catalogued below, but not necessarily in rank
order, are some of these circumstances :
1. Growth in friendships and self esteem; reconciliation of hate, fear,
and distrust. The constant enlargement of understanding and ra-
tionalization of self with the whole human kingdom.
2. Progressing individual productivity which supports desired growth
in level of living (wealth). This level of living consists of a grow-
ing range and freedom of choice in the utilization of preferred
amounts and quality of:
a. Housing, food, clothing, etc.
b. Communication, transportation, energy supply, etc.
c. Avocation, recreation, etc.
25