Seven Deadly Sins in Consumption

Offering a novel view on morality in consumption, this book creatively examines how the seven deadly sins - pride, greed, lust, gluttony, envy, wrath, and sloth - are embodied in contemporary consumer society. Each of the seven chapters summarizes previous literature of the sins across disciplinary boundaries, and explores how consumption is likely to change in the future. The sins are presented as social, historical, cultural and political constructs, relying on the underlying assumptions of cultural consumer research. Each is elaborated on within particular consumption and marketing-related spheres, including advertising, retail environment, convenience food consumption, poverty, and ethical consumption. Consequently, the book provides a new way to understand contemporary consumer culture. Although beginning with the dark notions of sinfulness, the authors conclude with a hopeful tone for positive transformations in consumption. This fascinating book will be of significant interest to consumer researchers and post-graduate students studying the effects of consumption in social science disciplines, including marketing, business and sociology. Contributors include: L. Alhonnoro, P. Berg, P. Borisov, J. Gummerus, K. Hellén, A. Huuhka, M.-M. Jaskari, H. Kauppinen-Räisänen, P. Laaksonen, H. Leipämaa-Leskinen, H.T. Luomala, A. Norrgrann, C. Rodríguez Santos, J. Sihvonen, H. Syrjälä, M. Sääksjärvi, L.L.M. Turunen, C. von Koskull