"Society cares for the individual only so far as he is profitable"

Simone de Beauvoir’s assertion that society cares for the individual only so far as he is profitable is a profound critique of how social structures value people primarily through their economic or utilitarian contributions. The statement suggests that beneath claims of community, solidarity, or universal compassion, the underlying metric for worth in modern societies is often tied directly to productivity and profitability.

This perspective invites reflection on the conditional and transactional nature of social care. Institutions might provide support, recognition, or basic services, but often with an implicit expectation of return: an individual’s labor, creativity, or conformity to set norms. When someone is no longer considered “profitable”, whether due to age, illness, disability, unemployment, or dissent, the level of care and concern shown by the broader collective often diminishes.

Individuals whose abilities or circumstances prevent them from contributing economically may face neglect or marginalization, despite rhetoric about inherent human dignity. As workplaces demand efficiency, and as political systems emphasize growth and competitiveness, humans risk being evaluated more as resources than as beings with intrinsic value. Healthcare, education, and social safety nets can become justifying tools for maintaining a profitable workforce, rather than genuine supports for flourishing or well-being.

De Beauvoir’s observation also illuminates the underlying tension many face between self-actualization and the pressure to be useful or marketable. Personal ambitions, capacities, or vulnerabilities are frequently subordinated to external demands for productivity. It calls attention to the disparities in how care and inclusion are distributed, warning of the dehumanization that results when profit becomes the sole criterion for human value.

Recognizing the limitations imposed by this economic lens offers an opportunity to build societies where care and respect for individuals do not hinge upon their profitability, but stem from a recognition of mutual interdependence and shared humanity.