Moderation, Work and its Fruit in Contemporary Societies
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15633/lie.2337Keywords:
moderation, consumer societies, logic, work, fruit, subversionAbstract
Moderation, traditionally considered to be a value, in consumer societies seems to be understood differently or disappear altogether; overall, it ceases to be something desirable or something rewarding the hardship which ensues from work. According to Jean Baudrillard, contemporary French philosopher, a logical approach to commodities and objects in which work precedes its fruit, nowadays, is undergoing a severe deconstructive process. Phenomena such as buying on credit, as well as acquiring objects immediately and without any effort are becoming an abiding norm, whereas a lack of moderation and a growth in hedonistic attitudes are on a noticeable increase. The aim of this article is an analysis of the phenomena which lead to a subversion of a traditionally established logic – work precedes its fruit just as cause precedes its result. The article focuses on the new ethics begotten by consumer societies; the ethics in which work, frugality, thrift and moderation are no longer perceived as values which enable us to gain and enlarge our social status.
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