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APARIGRAHA - THE HUMANE SOLUTION
literal meaning of the term throws light on its negative implication. The term 'consume' should be differentiated from the term 'use', which has a positive implication; 'to use' means to put to some purpose. A consumerist is not a user. The terms 'Upabhoga' and 'Upayoga' in Sanskrit also show same difference in their meanings 'Upabhoga' is 'Consumption', 'enjoyment' and 'pleasure', and 'Upayoga' is 'Use', 'employment', 'service'. It would, therefore, be wrong to use the two terms interchangeably. Thus, the philosophy of consumerism reflects its dependence on 'wasting' or 'exhausting' a resource. This philosophy is based on purely amoral principles, where the principle of self-interest is predominant, and social welfare occupies secondary place. So, those who have concern for society and its welfare rate consumerism negatively. The so-called achievements of the select few are understood by them to be like colourful patches on a large sheet of grey paper. For those who think of society as an organic whole consumerism does not have much to offer.
Degradation of the physical environment and that of the social environment are related issues; we cannot deal with either of them in isolation. The problems pertaining to them will not be seen clearly and in perspective if any one of them is left out. The problems and consequences of consumerism are problems of the social environment, but physical environment cannot be saved without saving social environment. An awareness of this fact and a keenness to preserve the social environment is being noticed in the West specially in U.S.A. According to a recent poll, ‘more than 75 per cent of Americans claim they would love to simplify their lives, work less, collect fewer possessions and devote more time to family and other meaningful pursuits.' It is no wonder then that researchers in this area have pointed out that 'the simplicity movement is one of the top money-making trends of the 90's'. This, again, may be a fad or just a new concept giving a thrill in thought and action to the American mind. But to a seriousminded futurist it is certainly not so.
At present, our social environment is an environment of abundance and our physical environment is an environment of scarcity.
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