Postmetafizyczny klimat ponowoczesnej konsumpcji Rzecz o (nie)zrównoważonym rozwoju człowieka
The postmetaphysical climate of postmodern consumption A matter of (un)sustainable human development

Summary/Abstract: The article is an attempt at a philosophical overview of the contemporary phenomenon of consumption. The purpose of this reflection is, therefore, the recognition of what makes us interested in the "it is and what it is" phenomenon. Thus, the method of philosophical analysis applied here will be identification as the search for the direct cause for a given effect. It seems that the cause for the contemporary phenomenon of consumption is the "rule of irrational passions" (Bauman). Hence, the reason for the existence of the consumer society lies in the desires, wishes and needs of its citizens, which are first created by the media and, then, kept in the state of unfulfillment by the mechanisms of economy. The reason behind the strengthening of the appetitive power (the will) is, in fact, the weakening of the cognitive power (the intellect). The decline of the metaphysical reflection on the purpose and meaning of human existence and the increased development of the hedonistic lifestyle with no reference to the transcendence testifies to that phenomenon. In this sense, one can say that contemporary consumption takes places in the postmetaphysical climate.

• Details
• Contents