French philosopher and Brazilian economist joined Fronteiras do Pensamento
Photo: Luiz Munhoz
What are the people’s motivation for consumption? What are the consequences of this kind of behavior for their lives and for society? In a debate entitled “Somos a civilização da leveza?” (Are we the lightness civilization?) filled with good arguments, French philosopher Gilles Lipovetsky and Brazilian economist Eduardo Giannetti made their points, which were either conflicting or complementary, on the act of consuming and its paradoxes. The debate occurred on Jun 5, at the UFRGS’ Commencement Hall, as the second conference in support of the 2017 season of Fronteiras do Pensamento, a project that receives cultural support from PUCRS.
Lipovetsky brought to stage his reflections based on his most recent book, “De la ligereza”. In his view, we are currently living in an era of “hyperconsumption, on which our existence is more and more based on exchanges, like goods”. As examples to illustrate his point, he mentioned that when people wish to exercise they go to the gym, and when they want to talk, they go to a psychoanalyst.
Photo: Luiz Munhoz
The French philosopher defines hyperconsumption as the overrating of light, quick and short-term things that give you immediate pleasure. To his mind, this leads to the new technologies, mobile equipment, fast cars and fitness lifestyle. On the other hand, he presents work, effort and the necessary sacrifices as means to make an agile life a reality. “We’re living a paradox: the more agile our society is, the heavier our everyday life is”, claimed he.
Despite the threats imposed by overconsumption on the planet, Lipovetsky believes that this behavior will not change so easily, and we need to see its positive side, without “skipping the present”. He claims education is the solution. “We need more culture, more schooling. We need a new passion: learning, creation, innovation. So, consumption will lose its importance, as it will become a means rather than an end in itself”, commented he.
Eduardo Giannetti started his talk by reading an encyclical by Pope Francis, in which he claimed that the “external deserts are getting bigger because the internal ones are already big”. The economist presented findings from the University of Cambridge that illustrate how harmful the logic of consumption has been for humanity, especially for the economically disadvantaged. Out of the 7 billion inhabitants of the planet, 1 billion is held accountable for the production of 50% of greenhouse gases. Another 3 billion produce 45% of these gases, whereas the remaining 3 billion, which include those who do not have access to consumption goods, produce 5% and bear all the consequences.
Photo: Luiz Munhoz
Giannetti brought up his consumption race theory, as he compared it to the countries that produce large numbers of weapon to fight wars, but when they are actually encouraging it. “Once people have a certain income that can cater to their basic needs, they start comparing them to everyone else. That’s why they look for the so-called positional goods, something the others are deprived of. With this, people start racing endlessly to end a scarcity that will always exist”, explained he.
As a consequence of that, he showed findings from research on the loss of quality of life, which culminated in high rates of suicide, especially in developed countries, such as the USA, Germany and the UK. As for Brazil, he believes that the “Amerindian and African cultures have a greater value than the Anglo-Saxon one”.
Lastly, he urged for the need to revisit the values regarded as important for the West, such as science, technology and economic development. “Economy is not the central value of human existence”, remarked he.
The 2017 season of Fronteiras do Pensamento is guided by the topic Civilização – a sociedade e seus valores (Civilization – society and its values). Relying on cultural support from PUCRS, up until December internationally recognized guests will be coming to Porto Alegre to address the quest for reconstruction, conscience and redemption of values.
PUCRS and Marist Network professors and staff are entitled to 50% off on the ticket package. Admission for PUCRS’ Graduate students is at no charge. The University, the project’s cultural partner, is offering courtesies to anyone who takes part in the actions published on Facebook. The next conference will be on Jun 28, and will feature Israeli writer Amós Oz. The event takes place at the UFRGS’ Commencement Hall and starts at 7:30 PM.
