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  • The Material Self

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    Nelscy Avancena
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    The document discusses the concept of the "material self" and how acquiring material goods can impact a person's identity and sense of self. It suggests that people derive meaning and significance from the objects they own beyond just the practical utility. The document prompts readers to consider whether evaluations of people should be based on their possessions and the implications of consumers only purchasing necessary items for the world economy.

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    the material self

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    the material self

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    The document discusses the concept of the "material self" and how acquiring material goods can impact a person's identity and sense of self. It suggests that people derive meaning and significance from the objects they own beyond just the practical utility. The document prompts readers to consider whether evaluations of people should be based on their possessions and the implications of consumers only purchasing necessary items for the world economy.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    13 views6 pages

    The Material Self

    Uploaded by

    Nelscy Avancena
    The document discusses the concept of the "material self" and how acquiring material goods can impact a person's identity and sense of self. It suggests that people derive meaning and significance from the objects they own beyond just the practical utility. The document prompts readers to consider whether evaluations of people should be based on their possessions and the implications of consumers only purchasing necessary items for the world economy.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 6

    THE

    MATERIAL/ECON
    OMIC SELF
    QUESTIONS TO PONDER
    o Can we evaluate a person
    based on his or her
    personal belongings?
    o Why do people tend to
    buy things that they do
    not need?
    o Do material belongings
    have impact on oneself?
    o What might be the
    implication/s to the
    world’s economy if
    people will only buy
    things that he or she only
    needs?
    Perhaps you’ve heard the statement, “You are what
    you eat.” The material self goes a step further by
    suggesting, “You are what you have.”
    • The most important factor is determining whether these items and
    services fall under:
    • Wants. Synonymous with luxuries. People buy them for reasons that do not
    warrant necessity.
    • Needs. These are important for survival. Food, clothing, and shelter are basic
    needs so people purchase them out of necessity.
    • In the process of acquiring material goods, people generally consider
    2 things:
    • Utility. Concerned with how things serve a practical purpose.
    • Significance. Concerned with the meaning assigned to the object. It is also
    concerned with how objects become powerful symbols or icons of habit and
    ritual which can be quite separate from their primary function. It is also
    concerned with how objects become powerful symbols or icons of habit and
    ritual which can be quite separate from their primary function. Significance,
    in contrast to utility, has more to do with expression and meaning. However,
    meanings are often culturally determined. For some, even the smallest
    utilitarian objects are capable of embodying values.

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