The Application of the 18th Royal Working Principle : Sufficiency for Living

Abstract

          This academic article aimed to analyze and interpret the 18th Royal Working Principle: “Sufficiency for Livelihood” through a philosophical and ethical lens. It also proposed practical applications at the individual, community, and organizational levels. The study employed document analysis, knowledge synthesis, and referenced contemporary research published within the past one to two years. The findings revealed that the concept of “sufficiency for livelihood” was not merely a guideline for simple living but functioned as a value-based framework countering consumerism and capitalist systems driven by boundless growth. In terms of ethical interiority, this concept promoted an awareness of true needs and the cultivation of mindful moderation. Regarding life resource management, it supported the design of life goals balanced with existing capabilities. On a systemic level, the principle could be applied to the design of economic and social policies aimed at building sustainable stability, aligning with ethical development approaches and contemporary frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Inner Development Goals (IDGs). This article proposed a new conceptual framework named “Sufficiency-Based Quality of Life,” which comprised three core components: ethical interiority, life resource management, and systemic resilience. This body of knowledge could be further developed into tools for evaluating sufficiency-based well-being and serve as a foundational perspective for policy-making or training curriculum development that cultivates a culture of ethical sufficiency in contemporary society.