With reference to Bourdieus theory of distinction and other relevant Essay

With reference to Bourdieus theory of distinction and other relevant theorists on social class, give a detailed example of how a specific habitus shapes consumer behaviour - Essay Example Consumers who do not have economic capital are not likely to become ‘choosers’ in relation to consumer settings; their choice will depend on what they can pay for.2 Capital, similar to habitus, results in particular values and behaviour and has a tendency to prevent others in specific situations. Bourdieu argues that class position is not rooted loosely in the ownership or non-ownership of means of production (e.g. capital, labour) just like in Marxist materialistic explanations of class.3 He uses the ideas of Weber, which enables him to classify various classes and class segments in a hierarchical scheme instead of viewing class as two classes opposed to each other, even though he keeps the idea of class struggle.4 Bourdieu views class as shaped by the ownership of varying sums of different types of capital. Nevertheless, Bourdieu, contrary to Marx, who simply took into consideration economic capital, expands the notion of capital to other social domains, which he claims are themselves social outcomes which are mingled and which can be utilised to generate more capital.5 Of such, symbolic capital and cultural capital are the most important for this paper. This essay gives a detailed example of how class habitus shapes consumer behaviour, particularly food preferences and co nsumption patterns, using Bourdieu’s theory of distinction and other theories of social class. If Bourdieu identifies an obvious relationship between class and consumer behaviour, he also views his theory as different from an income model. Although he recognises that a great deal of consumer behaviour is related to income levels, Bourdieu argues that this connection is arbitrated by the nature of habitus. He says that â€Å"income tends to be credited with a causal efficacy which it in fact only exerts in association with the habitus it has produced†.6 The superiority of habitus over mere amount of cash in influencing consumer

Mysticism in Hinduism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mysticism in Hinduism - Essay Example The essay "Mysticism in Hinduism" talks about the philosophy of Hinduism as an ideal model for understanding the world. The study of mysticism will bring joy to our heart and self-realization to our life. However, we should not give a definition to it and should not try to interpret it, because we will anyway fail. We receive the experience from the science, scientific discovery, history, philosophy, religion. In these experiences, we see the presence of subject and object, essence and existence, vision and sight. But the mystical experience that is the momentary unanimity overcomes all the similar discrepancies. Mystical experience is the unity with something â€Å"out of limits† that always remains inexpressible. It is a valuable experience that can’t and should be rejected. Maya is the illusiveness of existence and the Universe. While Brahman is the only reality, all the rest is the illusion. An ignorant individual can’t see the reality and perceives only the illusory world of suffering. The salvation is received through realization. Brahman is the supreme reality, the soul of the world without any form. It can’t be realized and described; it is a creation and a creator at the same time. The most important achievement for Hinduism is to realize that he is Brahman and he and the Universe is a single whole. We can argue upon the statement of Shankara â€Å"If the universe is true, let it then be perceived in the state of deep sleep also. As it is not at all perceived, it must be unreal and false, like dreams†.