In his book, Crunchy Cons, Rod Dreher writes:
Does Dreher attack consumerism as a covert means of attacking choice, science, and liberal values?
Or, does Dreher have a legitmate point?
Is there a better criticism of consumerism than the ones presented by Dreher here?
What are your views of consumerism?
What do I mean by consumerism? Its an uncodified materialist philosophy that considers the acquisition of goods and services at the least expensive price to be a fundamental social value. Consumerism fetishizes individual choice, and sees its expansion as unambiguous progress. A culture guided by consumerist values is one that welcomes technology without question, and prizes efficiency. A consumerist culture also tends to cede authority to the secular priesthood of scientists and other professional experts. Its idea of liberty involves the steady increase of the individuals sovereignty (the choice thing again). A consumerist society encourages its members both to find and express their personal identity through the consumption of products. Its ultimate goal is the spread of happiness and well-being through the improvement of material condition, and the creation and general increase of wealth.
And if moral and spiritual values get in the way of that, well, hey babe, you cant stop progress.
Is this a fair criticism of consumerism, or is there something a bit sneaky about it?And if moral and spiritual values get in the way of that, well, hey babe, you cant stop progress.
Does Dreher attack consumerism as a covert means of attacking choice, science, and liberal values?
Or, does Dreher have a legitmate point?
Is there a better criticism of consumerism than the ones presented by Dreher here?
What are your views of consumerism?