Measuring the Quality of Life

The phrase “quality of life” seems to defy definition. As the battle cry of the ecology movement, it has acquired a multitude of connotations. Yet an attempt is underway not only to define but to measure the quality of life— an attempt that may greatly influence the direction of future government activity.

The attempt to measure the quality of life is motivated by the increasingly complex problems of government planning and regulation of industry. Within the broad bounds set by Congress, the nation’s priorities are cQntinually being ordered by the agencies of the executive branch. When, for example, a new standard of air quality is formulated, a number of conflicting interests must be considered. The benefit of...