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Summary Of William T Cavanaugh's Being Consumed

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William T Cavanaugh (2008), wrote Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire which is a philosophical book, which focus on four (4) economic life matters that addresses the consumer culture within society. These four economic life matters are free market, consumerism, globalization and economic scarcity. In order for this topic to be discussed on a theological point of view, the author draws the reader’s attention to human life, the ends of life in God. The key question in every process is whether or not the transaction contributes to the flourishing of each person involved. In order to address these questions the author points to concrete examples of alternative economic practices in which Christians participate-: business, co-operatives, credit union, practices of consumption which marks the vision for Christian economic life. Cavanaugh (2008) calls the church to create and cultivate her own alternative culture informed …show more content…

He describes globalization as aesthetics, a way of looking at the world that creates a certain kind of desire. The author uses Jesus as one exemplification of a more universal ultimate reality, of which we are expected to realize the universal body of Christ in every particular and local exchange. The final chapter scarcity and abundance, holds Cavanaugh’s Christian expressions on the conditions of scarcity that are presupposed by modern economic theory as well as functions as a sort of conclusion to the former article. Cavanaugh mentions that the Eucharist, by distinction endorses a different story of abundance, drawn into God’s life we radically call into question the boundaries between the haves and the

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Christian Desire. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.). Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire deals with what Cavanaugh refers to as “the basic matters of economic life”, which is the free market, consumerism, globalization, and scarcity, as he aims to change the reader’s views on each of these topics. Cavanaugh also gives his argument both for and against each of these matters, which are often characterized by stories or comparisons which make his arguments and points a little easier to understand and a little clearer.

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Nevertheless, the interviewees frown upon being labelled as someone that values luxury over reasonable spending. Hence, they expressed their emphasis on the importance of needs over wants, and that practicality should triumph over extravagance. They see “limited” consumption as a form of self discipline, where excessive spending was only justifiable when it is spent on the family and invested in the children. If

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In the writing “Shopping: A Spiritual Adventure in America” Write It, 7th ed. , edited by Linda Strahan and Kathleen Moore, KendallHunt,2020, 351-354, an American literary critic and essayist Phyllis Rose makes the case that buying and shopping have two different meanings. She claims that buying is simply purchasing things you need while shopping has many purposes such as it being a form of therapy, a way to socialize with others, and even an outlet to establish a connection to a spiritual power, ( for example god or any other religion). Rose states in her writing that “Shopping’s function as a form of therapy is widely appreciated. You don’t really need, let's say, another sweater.

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