Natural Wealth

When we think of wealth, our minds often go straight to financial capital—money, assets, and resources that support our material needs. But wealth extends beyond just financial means. Cultural capital—the familiarity with and participation in culture—and spiritual capital—knowledge and practice of spiritual traditions—are also crucial dimensions of a life well-lived. Yet, just like financial wealth, these other forms of capital can lead us astray if they are pursued in isolation.

If financial capital is sought purely for accumulation, it can morph into unnatural wealth-getting—the endless chase for more that Aristotle warned against in the Nicomachean Ethics. Cultural capital, if detached from meaningful engagement, can become a tool for social distinction, a way to elevate oneself above others rather than foster personal growth or emotional resonance. Similarly, spiritual capital pursued as esoteric knowledge for the sake of exclusivity risks becoming spiritual elitism, cut off from its real purpose.

In this post, we will explore how one might go beyond these limitations to a more holistic conception of wealth and its role in wellbeing and further, what natural wealth-getting might look like.

Varieties of Capital

Financial capital is a form of wealth that we are all likely familiar with. It includes money, real estate and the ownership over productive assets.

The concept of cultural capital was introduced by Pierre Bourdieu, a French sociologist, to explain how social inequalities are maintained through cultural means. He describes cultural capital as the accumulation of knowledge, skills, education, and any advantages a person has, which give them a higher status in society. 

Bourdieu described three forms of cultural capital including embodied, objectified and institutional cultural capital. In its embodied form, this includes so-called habituses, or dispositions, like accents or mannerisms associated with specific class status. Objectified capital includes things like musical instruments, books, or designer clothing which also function as markers of legitimate taste. Institutional capital refers to credentials that confer intellectual authority especially including advanced degrees from prestigious institutions. These signifiers often have served to reproduce class distinctions.

The concept of spiritual capital was introduced by sociologist Danah Zohar in her work on spiritual intelligence and expanded upon in her co-authored book with Ian Marshall, Spiritual Capital: Wealth We Can Live By (2004). Zohar defines spiritual capital as the wealth or value derived from an individual’s or an organization’s spiritual or ethical beliefs and practices. It represents the capacity to use spiritual resources, such as meaning, purpose, values, and a sense of higher calling, to enhance both personal and collective well-being.

Spiritual capital has also historically served to reinforce class and caste distinctions. The Brahmin caste in India, Tibetan monastic orders and the clergy of medieval Europe are prime example of this. Spiritual capital, in this context, refers to the knowledge, rituals, and spiritual authority that certain groups hold, which grants them social power and status. This dynamic has been evident in many societies where religious or spiritual leadership is closely tied to social hierarchy and privilege.

The Modern Aspirational Class

In The Sum of Small Things: A Theory of the Aspirational Class (2017), Elizabeth Currid-Halkett outlines the key problem of how consumption patterns among the aspirational class (typically highly educated, affluent individuals) reinforce social inequality.

The aspirational class is distinct from traditional elites in that they don’t flaunt wealth through conspicuous consumption of luxury goods. Instead, they signal status through inconspicuous consumption.

While Currie-Halkett doesn’t use all these categorizations by name, we can organize their consumption patterns as exemplifying varieties of capital. For example, they strategically allocate financial resources to spending on things like organic food and fitness regimens. They also invest greatly in higher education often from prestigious institutions thereby conferring cultural capital and distinction. Lastly, they have unique access to higher forms of spiritual capital through meditation, yoga and wellness retreats and the ability to engage in philanthropy as well as sustainable and ethical consumerism.

These more subtle forms of consumption maintain class distinctions, but in a way that is harder to see and challenge. Currid-Halkett argues that inconspicuous consumption by the aspirational class is problematic because it reinforces inequality in a less obvious, more entrenched way than traditional conspicuous consumption. The aspirational class invests in things like education, time-intensive child-rearing, and health-conscious practices, which give their children and themselves significant advantages. These forms of consumption are not just about flaunting wealth, but about shaping long-term opportunities, social mobility, and health outcomes, making it harder for lower-income groups to catch up.

While we can all appreciate their alignment with pro-social goals such as environmental protection and health are laudable, it’s still important that their practices support and do not undermine democratic education, public cultural institutions, and the significance of civic participation over mere consumption patterns.

The Purpose of Wealth

A balanced view of wealth reveals that these forms of capital are not ends in themselves but tools that can support human well-being. The practices of the aspirational class in particular points to the ways that investing in education and wellness confers tremendous benefits to individuals and their life outcomes.

Financial capital is the means by which we meet our basic needs, providing the foundation for a stable and secure life. When used appropriately, such as toward high quality produce and fitness regimens, it can free us from worry and allow us to pursue higher goals that serve the public good.

Cultural capital offers more than just social distinction—it serves as a resource for catharsis or emotional relief. Engaging with art, music, literature, and ideas helps us process emotions, broaden our perspectives, and find joy in the human experience.

Spiritual capital is not merely about otherworldly knowledge but a resource for deeper engagement with the world around us. It helps us cultivate inner peace, resilience, and a sense of purpose, guiding our ethical decisions and connections with others.

Once contextualized in terms of the function that these forms of capital play, it becomes easier to shift our relationship to the how we acquire wealth.

Case Studies in Natural Wealth-Getting

Social entrepreneurs like those involved in microfinance (e.g., Grameen Bank founders) or eco-businesses combine financial sustainability with cultural and spiritual engagement, solving real-world problems while promoting purpose-driven work.

Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate who pioneered microcredit, integrates financial resources to meet basic needs, cultural understanding to empower marginalized groups, and spiritual alignment through service.

Another luminary is Yvon Chouinard, the founder of the outdoor clothing brand Patagonia. In the 70s, when fast fashion and environmentally harmful manufacturing practices dominated the industry, Patagonia pioneered environmentally conscious production.

Patagonia was also among the first companies to adopt organic cotton, use recycled materials, and commit to fair labor practices, setting a new standard for sustainability in the apparel industry.

Chouinard himself lived modestly, famously describing himself as a “reluctant businessman.” He avoided the opulence typically associated with billionaires, focusing instead on Patagonia’s mission and impact.

In the creative world, many artists also use their cultural capital to evoke emotional resonance while aligning their work with a broader purpose. They often use financial gains to support causes aligned with their values.

For example, Ai Weiwei, the Chinese artist and activist, channels cultural capital through provocative art and uses his platform to advocate for human rights and freedom.

On the spiritual side, Trappist Monks in places like the Belgium are also renown for producing high quality products such as herbal teas, cheese and bread. They see their labor as form of devotion and preservation of cultural heritage. The enterprise generates substantial income but profits are reinvested into the monastery or used for charitable activities.

Advancing Inclusion in Access to Resources

While everyone has a right to earn the wealth that will support their capacity to thrive, there are also structural factors that are our collective responsibility to improve.

The first is increasing access to high-quality education by ensuring that all children, regardless of class, have access and reducing the opportunity gap created by elite private schools and enrichment activities.

The second is affordable healthcare and wellness. It will help if we can democratize access to wellness practices, fresh produce and healthcare, so they are not luxuries reserved for the wealthy.

These may be driven by public policy interventions that reduce disparities in access to key aspirational goods like education, healthcare, and family support services, so that they are not monopolized by the upper class. It may also involve leveraging technology to scale access for more people while respecting environmental limits.

Natural Wealth-Getting

In this framework, natural wealth-getting encompasses all three forms of capital—financial, cultural, and spiritual—integrated in a way that supports a flourishing life. Financial capital supports our basic needs; cultural engagement provides emotional depth and rejuvenation; and spirituality offers deeper meaning and connection.

Together, they create the conditions for us to have free time and use it wisely—time that can be dedicated to acculturation (the development of cultural knowledge and skills), contemplation (deep reflection and spiritual growth) and contributing to others.

This holistic approach ensures that wealth, in all its forms, remains aligned with its true purpose: to support well-being, growth, and flourishing, rather than becoming an end in itself.

Credits

This post was edited with the help of Grammarly and GPT-4o to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy. The featured photo is by LuAnn Hunt on Unsplash.