Abstract
The paper deals with a critical debate regarding the common conception on human needs and on their fulfilment through the concern for productivity and growth.
It starts from the most common way of perceiving (and, implicitly, of developing) the economy, which is reappraised on the grounds of genuine liberalism; several routine approaches in economics and most common concerns in the economy are put under question.
The debate brings conclusions related to a widened area of issues concerning the assessment of economic activities and core educational recommendations, implying interventionism focused on developing responsibility on the very long term.