著者
畑山 要介
出版者
経済社会学会
雑誌
経済社会学会年報 (ISSN:09183116)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.42, pp.55-65, 2020 (Released:2021-04-01)

This paper aims to consider an implication of ethical consumption as a pursuit of self-interests from the perspective of Kate Soper's concept “alternative hedonism.” Ethical consumption has been regarded as an expression of anti-consumerism, but Soper recognizes that ethical consumers experience the intrinsic pleasure in their environmental and social preservations. Soper emphasizes that ethical consumption should be understood on the base of the theory of hedonism rather than asceticism, however it does not mean maintain of existing consumerism but renovation of the criticism of consumerism. This paper examines the theoretical structure of alternative hedonism through Soper's criticisms of Amartya Sen and Theodor Adorno. In the criticism of Sen, Soper insists that citizenship and individual living standard should not be separated but should understand the concept of living standard in the term of quality of life and regard environmental and social consideration as an improvement of the living standard. Then, in the criticism of Adorno, Soper supports the Adorno's hedonistic position against modern consumerism but points out that he excludes any personal experiences and assume “true&rldquo; need which located in the sublime culture. Soper attempts “de-naturalization” of Adorno's hedonism through the studies about symbolism and provides the perspective that the pleasure of ethical consumption is contiguous with esthetics of ordinary and banal everyday consumption. The perspective of alternative hedonism, therefore, has an implication that ethical consumption would play an important role in steady-state economy but based on consumer's pursuit of own pleasure.
著者
畑山 要介
出版者
関東社会学会
雑誌
年報社会学論集 (ISSN:09194363)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.2014, no.27, pp.158-169, 2014

Fair trade has been divided into two types; the partnership-type and the certification-type. The purpose of this article is to clarify the fundamental turning point between the two by means of an analysis of the “Certified Label Controversy.” This controversy has been understood as a conflict between “qualitative deepening” and “quantitative expansion,” but this interpretation cannot explain the core of the problem. This article, therefore, presents an alternative interpretation. Here, the point at issue is whether or not commercialism and social justice are compatible. This means that the controversy includes the argument over “the formation of orders.” In short, this watershed for fair trade arises from a difference of view on the relation between “being free” and “a regard for society.”
著者
畑山 要介
出版者
経済社会学会
雑誌
経済社会学会年報 (ISSN:09183116)
巻号頁・発行日
vol.40, pp.225-233, 2018 (Released:2021-04-01)

The aim of this paper is to clarify the profile of the ethical consumer as a “Citizen-consumer.” Those who bought eco-friendly or fair trade products were regarded as consumers who were motivated by social responsibility and political engagement. However, some studies show that such consumers are not necessarily ethical or political, but rather hedonistic and individualistic. This paper, therefore, focuses on “creativity” as an important factor of the ethical consumer. In order to examine what kinds of people purchase ethical products, we analyzed the fair trade consumer's motivation using quantitative data in Tokyo. The result of the analysis demonstrated that the younger ethical consumers tend to be associated with creative life, but without awareness of contribution to society. We can describe the younger ethical consumers as “Citizen-consumer” which pursue a good life for themselves.