Summary Of Cavanaugh's Consumed '

One of the main ways that Cavanaugh interacts with the situations, which he explains, is through critique. Throughout his work Being Consumed, William Cavanaugh, a Catholic theologian, communicates his sincere desire for Christians to live responsibly in the world God created by explaining the interaction between theology and economics. Cavanaugh specifically uses examples of the free market, consumerism, globalization and the failures of current economic practices in his explanations of theology and economics. He seems to quite a broad audience but may specifically be targeting an audience who is interested not simply theology or economics, but really how they have effect on one another.
One specific point that Cavanaugh addresses concerning economics and the free market is the concept of scarcity and human desire. Economics operates under the idea of scarcity of resources, the thought process of “we will never have enough” the difficulty with that is that human desire is not scarce, in reality it goes on forever (Kindle Loc. 65). Cavanaugh sustains this idea throughout his writing as he discusses whether or not he believes the free market is actually something that can be rightly considered free. His opinion turns out to be that economy actually leaves consumer vulnerable and susceptible to economic
slavery because the culture can actually end up dictating choices and tendencies. At one point in chapter one, Cavanaugh points to Augustine who says “a slave or an addict, by definition, cannot free himself or herself. Others from outside the self - the ultimate Other being God - are necessary to break through the bonds that enclose the self in itself” (Kindle Loc. 152-153). It seems that Augustine is explaining exactly what Cavanaugh was alluding to, the idea that a culture of consumerism and scarcity can be enslaving. At the end of chapter one, Cavanaugh points his audience directly towards a solution by suggesting that Christians are able to actively play a role in healthy practices by keeping close connection to production that allows the community to use discernment to be away of what true freedom looks like.
Cavanaugh addresses the contrast of attachment and detachment and how that contributes to society and culture. The consumerist culture is in direct contrast with the Christian culture of all things pointing back to Godand his ability to satisfy our desires completely (Cavanaugh, Kindle Loc. 412). Cavanaugh uses the Eucharist to explain the extent of the contradiction. This argument is very thorough and interesting because it shows that the consumerist culture is in direct contradiction with the remembrance of Jesus and the Last Supper (Cavanaugh, Kindle Loc. 603).
The idea of detachment from the things that the human race consumes is further explained when Cavanaugh addresses the paradox of global and local.
The globalization of the world has in certain ways connected humanity across a larger spectrum and in others made humanity much more detached. Cavanaugh mentions that consumers are no longer connected to that whom produces the products, which are consumed (Kindle Loc. 669). In the past there was connection because there were farms or small town shops and there were faces to be connected to the work that was being done. Now because of the mentality of scarcity, the emphasis has shifted to cheap labor and high
efficiency. Cavanaugh directs does not only critique and point out the negative but also share the positive view that the economy of which the world has adopted does open the door for an increased variety of goods that in the past has never been available (Kindle Loc. 722). Variety can be a very positive area of growth, but it has seemingly moved too far. Unfortunately because variety has been introduced it must now be sustained and that has caused a shift from the human good, to the demand of goods (Kindle Loc. 736). This speaks to the insatiable desire that Cavanaugh is suggesting has become present in today’s economy.
There are many consumer habits on display throughout the human race that seem like second nature but in reality are misdirected. Cavanaugh suggests questions for faithful Christians who desire to live in conjunction with creation and not in opposition can be asking to infect positive change. He even mentions. “The closer one is attached to the particular community munity gathered around one particular altar, the more united one becomes to the universal (Cavanaugh, Kindle Loc. 761). While the current economy says that the answer is to make the world more global and detached. Kingdom theology might suggest there is a message of hope and a demand for justice that Cavanaugh points to the reality that there is a reality of heaven’s rewards on earth as humanity receives the gift of the Eucharist (Kindle Loc. 1022).
Cavanaugh’s analysis, critique and imagery are able to speak to many people because he communicates so clearly and concisely. He does not use elevated language, which allows any who would take interest in gleaning from his insight the ability to understand what he has to offer. Cavanaugh relates to the economist and the theologian on multiple levels as to not elevate one over the other, while being clear that he believes that there is an importance in Christian values and that the way things are being done could be improved if those values were taken into consideration