Deck 11: Consuming

Question 1

During cites one study that suggest that people increasingly view success by the amount they consume.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Maguire says that market capitalism has become like a new religion.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

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

A) Medical problems
B) Worsening education
C) Diminishing individual happiness
D) Poorer product quality

Answer 3

C

Question 4

During notes that we are in a conundrum. We cannot limit the consumer life-style to those who have already attained it and yet extending this lifestyle to all who seek it would be ruinous.

Question 5

Segal compares consumerism with cancer.

Question 6

Durning writes that we will have to change several things to have a sustainable future, but most of all, he claims, we will need to change our values. Which values does he argue that we ought to change? How does he propose that we accomplish this shift? Do you think that his assessment of our values is accurate and his suggested shift feasible? Why or why not? Do you agree that we need to shift our values to moderate our consumption? Explain.

Question 7

Maguire argues that free trade is the solution to world poverty.

Question 8

Do you see the vast disproportionate distribution of income in the world as a sign of moral weakness? Why or why not? Maguire is concerned that at least half of the world's largest 100 "economies" are corporations. Is there a moral problem here (as he thinks), or is he wrong? Why or why not?

Question 9

Why does Maguire consider market capitalism to be a kind of religion?

A) It serves to define the world and our role in it
B) It declares that markets created the world
C) Going shopping is like going to church for some people
D) Markets teach us to be peaceful with one another

Question 10

The idea that we must consume or decline is a myth, according to Durning. Do you find his argument against this claim convincing? Why or why not? Also, what would decline? Are there some kinds of decline that we should welcome or promote? Explain.

Question 11

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?

Question 12

Why does Maguire say that poorer nations aren't truly engaged in "free trade?"

A) They do not get paid for their goods
B) They no longer have any alternative to supporting themselves by exporting goods
C) Many of them are actually owned by richer countries
D) They charge too much for their goods

Question 13

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?

Question 14

According to Segal, the American Dream rests on the slogan "more is better; the Alternative Dream rests on the slogan __________."

A) "Less is better"
B) "Make do, fix it, or do without it"
C) "Just enough is plenty"
D) "More is worse"

Question 15

Which of the following does Aristotle NOT mention as a "natural" way of life?

A) Business
B) Farming
C) Fishing
D) Piracy

Question 16

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.

Question 17

What factor does Maguire identify as a major driving force of overpopulation?

A) Poverty
B) Greed
C) Lack of sex education
D) Poor morals

Question 18

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

Question 19

During notes that the question, "How much is enough?" may be impossible to answer. Nonetheless, he notes that it is still an important question to ask. Why?

A) Asking is psychologically comforting
B) Asking will take our minds off of consuming for a little while
C) It sets a good example for the children
D) It may lead us to recognize ways to consume less destructively

Question 20

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?

A) Peasants in Latin America slash-and-burn their way into the rain forests.
B) Philippines cultivate steep slopes, exposing them to the erosive powers of rain
C) Hungry nomads turn their hers out onto fragile African rangeland, reducing it to desert
D) All of the above

Question 21

The author questions our commitment to capitalism and the consumption lifestyle.

Question 22

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?

Question 23

Do you think that this is a cute little story to make a simple point or a sly indictment of consumerism and broader economic structures? Could it be both? What point, if any, do you think this story makes?

Question 24

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.

Question 25

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?

Question 26

As Segal notes, Aristotle contrasts external goods with __________.

A) Internal goods
B) Relational goods
C) Intrinsic goods
D) Goods of the soul

Question 27

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

Question 28

Safran Foer argues that supporting factory farming to any extent is immoral. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Question 29

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?"

Question 30

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?

Question 31

If eating animals is morally justified, why is it?

Question 32

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?

Question 33

Foer advocates eating only free-range chicken.

Question 34

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

A) Help prevent deforestation
B) Curb global warming
C) Decrease human rights abuses
D) All of the above

Question 35

The poet is clear to note that the American has a MBA from Harvard.

Question 36

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?

Question 37

In the poem, how does the man in the tiny Mexican village spend his time?

A) He plays with his children
B) He sings and plays guitar
C) He takes a siesta
D) All of the above

Question 38

Foer opposes factory farming.

Question 39

Segal sees Aristotle as the intellectual father of simple living and identifies an Aristotelian politics of simplicity. What ideas from Aristotle does he draw on in particular? Restate Aristotle's conception of simplicity in your own words. Do you agree that it is applicable and useful for our contemporary society? Explain why or why not.

Question 40

The man in the tiny Mexican village is a __________.

A) Farmer
B) Fisherman
C) Tanner
D) Iron worker

Question 41

Identify at least four central themes of the poem and explore Berry's perspective on them. How might each of them be seen to relate to our practices of consumption?

Question 42

In the poem, Berry speaks approvingly about U.S. consumerism

Question 43

Berry honors the fallen soldiers who died for our freedom.

Question 44

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?

Question 45

In the poem, the flag represents __________.

A) Duty to God
B) Democracy
C) Overconsumption
D) Liberation from tyranny

Question 46

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

A) The flag
B) The battle of Gettysburg
C) The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
D) All of the above

Question 47

Berry suggests that consumerism has infected the basic institutions of American life, institutions such as church and vacation.