Existential Problems of Modern Living

While “Two Cheers for materialism” by James Twitchell explores the extent to which materialism has become an ample and important aspect of everyday life in our society, the text also highlights our tendency to disregard and question the moral appropriateness of this very integral aspect.

Humans are the most social creatures on earth and what better place to express that then Las Vegas. City where aesthetic satisfaction and quality of life is purely expressed with material behaviors and lines between personal value and choice between tangible and intangible life goals and crossed and at times simply arrested. Scholars view materialism as a type of personality trait that involves personal and societal value. This trait is consumption-based and involves human demand for materialistic items to represent personal and social happiness. Associated with western cultures and capitalism, studies about materialism date back to an industrial and post-industrial revolution of 19th century (e.g., Campbell, 1987; McCracken, 1988; McKendrick et al., 1985; Williams, 1982). Richins considered materialism as a system of personal values (e.g. Fournier and Richins, 1991; Richins and Dawson, 1992).

(MIP-1) Many people in the society are materialistic and too wrapped up in all of their stuff. (SIP-A) They use materials and want more and more in order to have the items replace something less physical and more valuable. (STEWE-1)

According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a relation is “a state of being mutually or reciprocally interested,” which relationship is a connection by the way the of relations (Relation, 2017). Since the term relationship is defined, therapy is then a process with a purpose; for example, the resolution of clients’ problems. To achieve the treatment that the patient needs, the innovative approach must attain the goal for the patient’s point of mutual interest with the therapist, who also has a common interest in resolving the patient’s problems. Addressing the patient’s problems means accomplishing some changes in the way the client perceives, thinks, feels, sees their reality. This small detail requires active participation from the

Zygmunt Bauman is the writer and author of consuming life and liquid modernity. He is among the pioneering founders of the post-modernism theory that is characteristic of most theories in sociology and philosophy. The concepts and positions posited by Baunam will be heavily relied upon in the composition of this essay – albeit subject to diverse opinions in analysis and with reliance of critique that is presented from various avenues such as contradictory theories to those of the author. In consuming life, Bauman asserts that consumerism has surpassed the mundane quality of consumption. This means that human advancement has led to the quintessential disorder where consumerism coerces humans into lukewarm and superficial meeting of needs and desires, as opposed to consumption which was individualistic in nature and self-gratifying. Individuality is the opposite of consumerism. Bauman attests that desires and life of worth can be attained only from egoistic search of satisfaction. However, individualistic system and egoism cannot push societies to prosperity and advancement. Insofar as consumerism contorts human culture and introduces dangers of ideology and religion, it is only through consumerism that advances in humanity and advancement that man can utilize ideologies such as capitalism, laissez faire conditions, international trade, diplomacy, and other diverse attributes in transforming human culture.

The world is a simple place but often at times, it seems more complicated than it really is. People exist in a world where others do not know of them because the world is so big. Existentialism is the belief that a person creates one’s self with the influence of external factors. However, more importantly, it is how a person is able to cope with these factors that allow a person to live their life. Existentialism is a key factor that is prominent throughout the story. The main characters in the book Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, are all influenced by outside factors that include a pregnancy substitute to make babies and pre-plan their futures, living in a controlled environment and by making the citizens live in a constant hallucination of “happiness”.

Nihilism originated somewhere around the mid-1800s, it was a shift from the social philosophy around that time which viewed life with purpose and meaning which was found usually though God, or some religious doctrine, however Nihilism is the philosophy that dictates the meaninglessness in life; it leaves an empty and void existence. Nihilism is usually associated with German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche is often although not a Nihilist himself Nietzsche wrote a considerable amount concerning Nihilism and its implications as a philosophy. Nietzsche saw Nihilism as a growing problem, he believed that as the world grew conscious of Nihilism it would destroy all morality and meaning man has created, this is because he would realize the

Materialism is a timely, social problem which is evident throughout history and in today’s world. Materialism is one issue where people may blind themselves from their moral values and drift away from family or their true selves. It can run and/or ruin a person’s life. Material parenting and the unhealthy lifestyle of a materialist are just two areas where leading a materialistic life may be fostered or lead. The materialistic world may be filled with joys and riches, however the material objects can not bring true happiness to any one person.

Not to be confused with the Huxley novel that my blog post will share many of the same elements/qualities (I hope) with -- 2016 is in the rear view; what we have now is often a cynical, mostly nihilistic, outlook of the world to come in 2017. I will admit that I am not an optimist when it comes to the future, but I will concede that my opinions about the world are wholly relativistic. In my opinion, optimistic types tend to focus on the horizon instead of looking down at the ocean beneath. Pessimists relentlessly focus on the depths of problems, and often, fixate on the negative aspects of all likely outcomes. Is it an extension of an overly realistic point of view, a gross pragmatism that permeates through cynics to their very core. Or is it that optimists tend to accept things the way they are, and decide to live with what they can control, and do so with overly effusive joy and unrepentant candor?

This report is about how materialism has been around people since prehistoric. According to this article adapted from James B. In Twittchell’s book, it is stated that even though Materialism is a social illness, it may also serve more positive functions in the modern world (1). In this piece, the author tells us that materialism has been spread around the world. For example, nowadays people from many countries like to buy more and more stuffs. Now; for instance, we have a materialism culture, and commercialism helps to increase this kind of lifestyle. Moreover, there is a stereotype that portrays women as the most consumers; however, historians has contradicted this by saying that “in pre-industrial world men were the chief hunter-gatherers” (390). From my point of view and based on this article, I consider that materialism does not bring any kind of positive functions in our world; on the contrary, I think that nowadays materialism is

As men and women we each have our own individual issues that we must deal with on a day to day basis however it is not until one relates these dilemmas on a broader spectrum of social issues and how they may affect society as a whole that we are then using the Sociological Imagination. One could argue that our society is intertwined and relatable to that of an ecosystem in the environment. Just like and ecosystem if a particular group of society slacks it may affect the whole population bringing then in to question how sustainable it is, the survivability of it, and the overall function of the society. It may not seem evident to many but throughout a person’s life they begin to hold more and more influence over their respective communities

an excessive availability of every kind of material goods for the benefit of certain social groups, easily makes people slaves of “possession” and of immediate gratification with no other horison than the multiplication or continual replacement of the things already owned with others still better. This is the so-called civilization of “consumption” or “consumerism”, which involves so much throwing-away and waste.

“The American dream has also changed. ‘Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ has become ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of stuff.’” In today’s world, happiness has disappeared and has since been replaced with the need to buy. Many people believe that having many material possessions will bring them happiness. Often times people confuse their wants with their needs, which results in overconsuming. Consumerism is often supported by manufacturers who persuade their customers to buy the products. They become obsessed with this need to consume, which can result in a number of problems down the line. Consumerism can have a number of negative effects on a person.

Every so often… to correct that every day, hour or minute something new comes out. May it be the daily smartphone that aims to fill the already deep pockets of the big CEO’s sitting in their high-rise office, adding to the growing multibillion dollar electronics industry? Or the clothing line from the new designer that everyone hypes about? Consumerism is something that flues the fire, also known as the 21th century disease of materialism. Although an alarming issue everywhere today, I believe none is more precedent that of the United States, a society in its own right whose consumerism is as staggering as it is worrying. Why the United States? Because it is a symbol of the Western society, the consumerism capital. Further this is in conjunction with the generation of today, us the fore-runners of this blind quest for material dominance, within an ever expanding materialistic society. We buy more, receive more, and want more, yet we don’t seem to be any happier, a coloration to consumerism that finds it roots within the American society, the generation of today and its values.

Existentialism developed in the more extensive feeling to twentieth century rationality that is focused upon the investigation about presence and of the best approach people discover themselves existing or their existence as a whole. Existentialism takes its name from those philosophical topic of 'existence ', this doesn 't involve that there will be homogeneity in the way presence will be on be comprehended. On simpler terms, existentialism will be an logic worried for finding self and the intending from claiming an aggregation through spare will, choice and also personage obligation. Existentialism turned into prominent following those Second World War. In spite of seeing its philosophical viewpoint is little spot complex,