Lo superfluo, una "necesidad para la dignidad del ser humano"

Philosopher Javier Gómez and former Justice Minister José María Michavila agreed that luxury, far from being frivolous, is essential for the full development of individuals and positively impacts societal growth. But what exactly is luxury and why is it necessary? And to what extent is spending on luxury compatible with human dignity and economic development?

These were the two main questions addressed by Gómez and Michavila in the debate "Luxury as a universal aspiration to excellence and perfection" at the EXPANSIÓN Luxury Forum, a forum co-hosted by Círculo Fortuny and Fuera de Serie, with support from Puig, Santander, DILS Lucas Fox, Radisson Hotel Group, and McKinsey & Company as Knowledge Partner.

Gómez posed the question of why public powers should subsidize the Teatro Real while there are unemployed and homeless individuals in the country. The answer lies in the difference between weight and height values. Weight values satisfy primary needs, such as eating or sleeping. Height values relate to identity, happiness, or human dignity, in reference to cultural experiences, travel, books, and more.

Luxury is intimately connected with capitalism because it is closely linked to the potentially infinite desires for cultural experiences, travel, and literary experiences, among others.

Michavila drew upon Shakespeare's King Lear to discuss the importance of luxury and the possibility of prioritizing non-essential desires over basic needs. Lear, about to transfer his kingdom to his three daughters, asks if being left with nothing, he should also part with his few possessions. Lear replies: "Even the poorest of the poor has a trifling thing they don't need. If the poorest of the poor didn't have a trifling thing they didn't need and merely satisfied their basic needs, they wouldn't be a person."

Thus, even though luxury is a superfluity, it is a necessity for the human soul. Luxury is something that fills every person, and although it is superfluous, it is a necessity of the human soul. Luxury has grown in parallel with the development of capitalism over the past 400 years, rather than hindering its growth. In the past, luxury was only for the elite, and only a few were luxury manufacturers, such as painters, sculptors, and architects.

However, over time, luxury has expanded and changed. Today, luxury is accessible to the general population, with significant consumption in America (60%), Europe (62%), and Japan (63%) occurring at least once a year, and even four times a year in some cases. This growth is due to increased production and quality. Both Gómez and Michavila agreed that the greatest luxury is not to have everything but to have the opportunity to lead a dignified and beautiful life.