A sociological perspective of consumption morality
Caruana, R. (2007) Journal of Consumer Behaviour, Volume 6, pages 287 – 304.
In this article, Caruana makes the argument that previous research into ethical consumption does adequately not explore the nature of morality as a philosophical concept, and just assumes a vague definition and understanding. Thus, this paper outlines various perspectives of morality as they relate to ethical consumption and argues that implementing more refined definitions of morality can help to further the study of ethics and consumption.
Consuming Morality
Wilk, R. (2001) Journal of Consumer Culture, Volume 1, Issue 2, p. 245-260.
In this article, Wilk investigates the relationship between morality and consumption. Using theories of moral philosophy and contemporary examples from American culture, this paper makes the case for further study of consumption as an inherently moral issue in process and practice.
(De)commodification, consumer culture, and moral economy
Sayer, A. (2003) Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, Volume 21, pages 341 – 357.
With a focus on how the commodification of how people value material items, practices and behaviours, and their relationships with others, this paper explores how contemporary ideas about morality and consumption relate to theories within the field of moral philosophy. Sayer draws on the works of Pierre Bourdieu and Daniel Miller, to discuss cultures of consumption as they may be configured in theory and in practice.
The Moral Universe
Bentley, T. And Stedman Jones, D. [Eds] (2001) Demos Collection Issue 16, London: Demos
This collection of essay about the ‘Moral Universe’ uses an ethical framework for examining contemporary social and political change. The essays speak to a number of themes, including diversity, globalisation, individualism and institutions. There are also a number of essays that directly address the topics of ethical consumption, trade and production.
The Moral Complexion of Consumption
Borgmann, A. (2000), Journal of Consumer Research, 26, 418-422.
In this article, Borgmann explores the notion of high levels of consumption as being morally objectionable, by further investigating the relationship between consumption and patterns of technology. The article ends with suggested directions for further research in this field.
The Poverty of Morality
Miller, D. (2003) Journal of Consumer Culture, Volume 1, Issue 2, p. 225-243.
Miller sets forth the argument that, rather than the problem of overconsumption being the most pressing moral issue in consumption, what is actually needed for most of the world is more consumption. Set in a literature on morality and consumption, this paper argues for a more nuanced approached to this subject and for further research to consider the contribution of local (as opposed to American) consumer cultures.
Things becoming food and the embodied, material practices of an organic food consumer
Roe, E. (2006), Sociologia Ruralis, 46 (2), 104-121.
This paper makes the case for a revised focus within agro-food studies on the bodies on plants, animals and humans to study embodied experiences of consumption. Innovative research methods are used to illustrate the importance of non-human methodologies and consumption practices.
Consuming Risk, Consuming Science: The Case of GM Foods
Tulloch, J. and Lupton, D. (2002), Journal of Consumer Culture, 2 (3), 363-383.
Based on a study looking at risk according to British citizens, specifically interviews with people working in high technology or science industries, this paper discusses the risk associated with genetically modified (GM) foods. Personal experiences or biographies of risk are used to situate these concerns in the context of everyday food consumption.