Ethics of Consumption Essay

Once you draw read the textbook chapter and the Reading, answer discussion questions 1, 3- 5 (ignore questions 2 and 6). Q1. Who is the we in the question Why do we consume so much? Is Juliet Schor correct that there is increasingly little that we do which is not a consumption experience And that we consecrate become a culture of excessive consumption? Explain your answers.The we in the question why do we consume so much? is stands for the majority of Americans those whose basic needs be met, who have discretionary income, the large middle classes whose standard of living has risen so dramatically everywhere this century.Juliet Schor is correct that there is increasingly little that we do which is not a consumption experience. For example, the fair American home has increased by more(prenominal) than 50% since 1970s and the number of vehicles per person has increased.And we have become a culture of excessive consumption due to $20,000 outdoor grills, $17,000 birthday parties fo r teen girls FAO Schwartz, adamant studded bras at Victoria Secrets, professional appliances for flock not home to cook, designer clothes for 6 year olds as well as $1000 bed sheets.Q3. Explain why Schor believes that more leisured. slight(prenominal) consumerist lifestyles are structurally blocked. Why cant battalion simply choose to depart less and enjoy more free time? Do you apply that hold outing long hours encourages people to consume more?Schor believes that more leisure, less consumerist lifestyles is structurally blocked because we are undermining our quality of life, we fail to scan enough leisure, and live excessively busy and stressful lives.People cannot simply choose to work less and enjoy more free time because the employers set work norms and schedules, and those are tied to jobs. A full-time worker is paid per person, not per hour, and the employers prefer to hire fewer people, as well as employees who work longer hours are more financially dependent on the firm. Also, the income that people earned determines the level of consumption. The more they earned, the more or luxury goods they are able to purchase.I do not agree that working(a) long hours encourages people to consume more. I have some working experiences before. After working for the unhurt day, I felt very tired and I thought money does not come easily, so I would not buy as much as I earned. I would like to present it and buy wait until I think the price of the good I want to buy is unimpeachable and it is useful.Q4. Schor refers to the second structural feature that creates too much consumption as the ecological bias. What does she lowly by this? Do you agree with her that it is practiced?Schor means that people overuse of the ecological resources of the earth, which account for orbiculate warming, species extinction, ecosystem depletion, water shortages, deforestation and soil erosion. I absolutely agree with her that overuse of natural capital is serious because t he rate of resource use, pollution, and ecological degradation exceeds earths absorptive and regenerative capacities. We are already beyond a sustainable relation with earth. If rest of the world lived like the Americans do, need an additional four planets to stake this lifestyle.Q5. Explain why you agree or disagree with Schors contention that consumption has become a social competition. How has the old pattern of haveing up with the Joneses changed? Do you agree that it is tricky for individuals to resist or lose out of the consumption competition? Explain why or why not.Yes, I agree with Schors contention that consumption has become a social competition because more and more people buy luxury goods to show off, whichit stand for recognition, esteem, status, and even envy it confers. Especially young teenagers, they like to keep up with their classmates or schoolmates. As a result, branded goods were carried by students is obviously around the school.The old concept of keepin g up with the Joneses has changed because Americans consumer aspirations now has become more vertical, which is in terms of economic and social standing. unripe Americans regarded Rockefeller or Bill Gates who makes $100,000 a year or more as an important aspirational target. They are more squint towards a decent or comfortable standard of living.I agree that it is difficult for individuals to resist or drop out the consumption competition. Since everyone is using the latest products, we have to elevate ourselves as well. If we refused to upgrade our belonging, we will fall behind the others, it may account for inconvenience in our life. For example, nowadays, some cooking has to type it out or submit online, if we do not have a laptop at home, then it will be troublesome and inconvenience. Thus, individuals are getting more and more difficult to drop put the consumption competition.