Positives of Consumerism

Consumerism creates employment

It helps to reduce poverty

It encourages innovation and creativity in business

We live in a global economy

We have a better quality of life

Negatives of Consumerism

Consumerist societies create more waste

They use more natural resources

They cause damage to the environment

Consumerism creates a “throw-away” culture

Advertisers tell us who we are and what we want

Wealth does not lead to happiness

Materialism causes greed and crime

We should return to traditional values like sharing

Personality

Happiness

Happiness means different things to different people

It can be described as a feeling of pleasure or enjoyment

People enjoy spending time with family and friends

Hobbies, sports and games can be a source of fun and enjoyment

Some people see money as a source of happiness

Other people define happiness as something deeper

In order to be truly happy it is necessary to live a good life

We need to feel that we are doing something useful with our lives

Some people get a sense of achievement from their work

Others find happiness in bringing up their children

Religion or a sense of purpose can also be a source of happiness

Success

People define success in different ways

Some people get a sense of achievement from raising a family

For others, success is defined by wealth or status

We often think of rich and famous people as being successful in life

Millionaires like Bill Gates are considered to be successful

They have risen to the top in their chosen professions

For some, being successful means achieving personal or professional goals

They see success as the result of hard work

Success in any field requires long-term planning and effort

Nature or Nurture

Some people believe that our personalities are determined mainly by genetics

We inherit our abilities and talents from our parents

Others think that our education and upbringing are more important

We develop according to the influences around us

Our personalities and achievements depend more on nurture than nature

Many people argue that we control our own destinies

We can shape our own personalities

By working hard we can achieve and goal that we put our minds to

Many successful people are “self-made”

We are not limited by our genetic characteristic or upbringing

Sport and Leisure

Arguments against Professional/competitive sport

Sport has become a business

Professional sport encourages people to compete for money

Many sports stars are only concerned about money and fame

Some athletes take drugs in order to win at any cost

Competitors are often selfish and rude

They are not good role models for children

All sports should be amateur

Sports should be leisure activities rather than jobs

People should do sporting activities for enjoyment and health reasons

Taking part is more important than winning

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 4318