The welfare definition of economics, which equates economics with the study of material welfare, has faced several criticisms. These criticisms highlight the limitations and potential biases inherent in focusing solely on material well-being.

• Narrow Scope:
  Critics argue that the welfare definition is too narrow. It excludes many important aspects of economic activity that don't directly contribute to material welfare, such as services like healthcare, education, and spiritual guidance. Furthermore, it neglects non-material aspects of well-being, such as environmental quality, leisure, and social relationships.
• Subjectivity of Welfare:
  Welfare is a subjective concept. What constitutes "welfare" varies across individuals, cultures, and time periods. Defining economics solely in terms of welfare introduces a value judgment into the field, potentially biasing economic analysis. It becomes difficult to objectively measure and compare welfare across different groups or societies.
• Difficulty in Measurement:
  Material welfare is difficult to measure precisely. While economists often use indicators like GDP or income per capita, these measures don't fully capture the nuances of well-being. They may not reflect income inequality, environmental degradation, or the value of non-market goods and services.
• Neglect of Resource Allocation:
  By focusing on welfare, the definition can downplay the importance of resource allocation and efficiency. Economics is fundamentally about how societies allocate scarce resources among competing uses. A focus solely on welfare might lead to neglecting the mechanisms and processes involved in efficient resource allocation, even if those allocations ultimately improve overall well-being.
• Ethical Concerns:
  The emphasis on material welfare can raise ethical concerns. It might promote a materialistic view of society, neglecting other important values such as fairness, justice, and equality. Furthermore, policies designed to maximize material welfare might have unintended consequences for other aspects of well-being.

Alternative definitions of economics, such as Lionel Robbins' definition of economics as the study of the allocation of scarce resources among competing ends, have been proposed to address these criticisms. These alternative definitions aim to provide a more comprehensive and objective framework for economic analysis.