Exam 11: Consuming

During estimates that half of the world's billion-plus absolute poor are caught in a downward spiral of ecological and economic impoverishment. What examples does he cite to elucidate this claim?

Segal compares consumerism with cancer.

Safran Foer notes that there are human health reasons to stop eating animals. One need not care about animals, in this case, but only about one's own health to refrain from animal consumption. Yet often we are told that meat protein is important in our diet. What do you think and why?

Do you think that the story oversimplifies life and the realities of economic activity? Or do you think that it communicates a lesson we would do well to follow? If life is too complicated for this lesson, what are these complications, and why do they make a simpler, less consumptive life difficult?

Foer asks the question, "If we were to one day encounter a form of life more powerful and intelligent than our own, and it regarded us as we regard fish, what would be our argument against being eaten?"

Foer argues that sustainability and the consumption of factory farmed meat are connected, and since the consumption of factory-farmed meat is immoral, so is sustainability.

Segal sees purpose and virtue in simple living. Do you? Why or why not? What purpose and what virtue does Segal see in it? Can these be various kinds of simplicity? Why or why not? What kinds can you identify?

Compare the predominant economic model of contemporary America with the simple living economic model that Segal describes. What are the key differences? Do you agree with Segal's characterization of each? If not, how would you correct his presentation of each?

Maguire sees our population growth, consumption, and the destruction of natural environments as intrinsically connected. Restate his argument for these connections and why this nexus represents a pressing concern. Do you agree? Do you think that there are dynamics other than or in addition to these three that should give us at least as much concern? Explain your answers with specific examples.

As Segal notes, Aristotle takes the fundamental element of modern economic society to be entrepreneur or, in his own terms, the enterprising merchant.

Can you name several of the ethical challenges connected to eating animals? How is factory farming associated with various moral problems? What are they, and why are they problems?

What is the "conundrum" of consumption according to Durning? Restate it in your own words. How does Durning support his presentation of this conundrum? Do you find it convincing? Why or why not?

In the poem, the American is concerned with making millions while the Mexican is concerned with the environment.

Which of the following is an image Berry uses in the poem?

If eating animals is morally justified, why is it?

The man in the tiny Mexican village is a __________.

When Berry writes "Let us pledge," to what do you think he implies we owe our allegiance? To what are we pledging ourselves? Is Berry's characterization an accurate portrayal of how Americans live their lives? Why or why not?

The philosopher David Loy argues that "the market is becoming the first truly world religion." James Twitchell (Reading 96) might be seen to advance a similar idea but in positive terms. Here, Maguire presents the expansion of market consumerism as both an ethical problem and challenge. With whom do you agree, and why? Or do you reject the notion that consumer capitalism has this pervasive power? If so, why?

Foer argues that the decision to stop eating factory farmed meat will __________.

In addition to environmental concerns, what other effect of the contemporary consumer culture is Durning concerned about?