Ethics in Consumption
Introduction
Interdisciplinary Seminar on Collectivities in Consumption Ethics, Glasgow, 12 Sep 2016
Ethics in Consumption: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Seminar – Collectivities in Consumption Ethics
Location: University of Glasgow
Date: 12 September 2016, 9.30am -5.00pm
Theme: Collectivities in Consumption Ethics
Speakers:
(1) Professor Frank Trentmann, Birbeck College, University of London
(2) Dr Jo Littler, City University London
(3) Professor Michele Micheletti, Stockholm University
The sixth seminar of the ESRC Ethics in Consumption: Interdisciplinary Perspectives seminar series will be hosted by the University of Glasgow Adam Smith Business School, entitled ‘Collectivities in Consumption Ethics’. A book launch will follow the seminar: Ethics and Morality in Consumption, which is edited by the seminar series organisers Professor Deirdre Shaw, Dr Michal Carrington and Dr Andreas Chatzidakis.
In considering the social embeddedness of the individual, Shaw et al. (2006a) show how ethical consumers evoke a “vaguely conceptualised perception of a wider collective participation”. This is reflected in research into local campaign groups, political consumption and consumption communities. We find, therefore that consumer and citizen roles are not necessarily mutually exclusive. That ethically concerned consumers have political, religious, spiritual, environmental, social or other motives for choosing one product over another, and are concerned with the impact of their consumption choices on other individuals (including future generations), society, animals and the environment goes beyond the individual to a collectivist societal orientation. Far from a homogenous collective, however, what is ‘ethical’ will encapsulate different expressions, concerns and issues across individuals, groups and socio-spatial contexts (Chatzidakis et al., 2012). These issues are often complex and also often linked and traded-off against each other, further increasing the complexity involved in consuming ethically.
This seminar will move beyond considerations of individual virtue to participation in collective action. Consideration will be given to perceptions of success and influences on participation.
Further information
Website:
Registration:
This is a free event and open to all. To attend you must register in advance at:
https://collectivitiesinconsumptionethics.eventbrite.co.uk
