Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Many studies, including those in consumer behavior and psychology, have suggested that societal views on success often correlate with consumption levels, indicating that people may increasingly measure success by what and how much they consume.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Maguire argues that market capitalism has become like a new religion by suggesting that it has taken on a dominant role in society, influencing values, behaviors, and social norms much like traditional religions have historically done.

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

Accepted Answer

Durning is concerned that the contemporary consumer culture leads to diminishing individual happiness, as the pursuit of material possessions often fails to fulfill deeper human needs and can detract from life satisfaction.

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.

Accepted Answer

This statement reflects the dilemma faced by sustainable development efforts, where limiting the consumer lifestyle to those who already enjoy it is seen as unfair, but extending it to everyone without changes could lead to environmental and economic ruin due to unsustainable resource consumption and environmental degradation.

Question 5

Segal compares consumerism with cancer.

Accepted Answer

George Segal, in his artistic expressions, often critiqued modern consumer culture, likening its pervasive and invasive nature to that of cancer, highlighting the destructive and uncontrollable aspects of consumerism.

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Durning writes that we will have to...

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Maguire does not argue that free trade is the solution to world poverty; instead, his work often focuses on ethical considerations in global issues, which may include critiques of simplistic solutions like free trade as a panacea for complex problems such as 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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Do you see the vast disproportionate distribution...

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

Accepted Answer

Maguire considers market capitalism to be a kind of religion because it serves a similar role in defining the world and our role within it, much like traditional religions do by providing a worldview and a set of values.

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The idea that we must consume or...

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The philosopher David Loy argues that "the...

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

Accepted Answer

Maguire argues that poorer nations are not engaged in "free trade" because they are in a position where they have no alternative but to support themselves by exporting goods. This dependency on exports for survival puts them at a disadvantage in the global market, undermining the concept of "free trade" which presupposes equal opportunities and voluntary exchange among nations.

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?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the "conundrum" of consumption according...

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"

Accepted Answer

The Alternative Dream suggests a shift towards valuing sufficiency and contentment with what one has, encapsulated by the slogan "Just enough is plenty." This contrasts with the traditional American Dream's emphasis on continual accumulation and expansion.

Question 15

Which of the following does Aristotle NOT mention as a "natural" way of life?
A) Business
B) Farming
C) Fishing
D) Piracy

Accepted Answer

Aristotle does not mention business as a "natural" way of life. He considers farming, fishing, and piracy as natural ways of life in his discussions on economics and politics.

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.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Maguire sees our population growth, consumption, and...

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

Accepted Answer

Maguire identifies poverty as a major driving force of overpopulation, suggesting that economic challenges lead to higher birth rates and less access to family planning resources.

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.

Accepted Answer

Aristotle's economic thought does not center on the entrepreneur or the enterprising merchant as the fundamental element of economic society. Instead, his focus was more on the concepts of household management and the ethics of exchange, without emphasizing the role of the entrepreneur as understood in modern economic theory.

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

Accepted Answer

Asking "How much is enough?" encourages reflection on our consumption habits, potentially leading to more sustainable and less destructive choices.

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

Accepted Answer

Each example illustrates how poor communities engage in practices that degrade their environment, leading to further poverty and ecological damage, supporting the claim of a downward spiral of ecological and economic impoverishment.

Quiz 11: Consuming

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

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

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

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.

Segal compares consumerism with cancer.

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

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?

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

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.

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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?

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?