Aetiology and Mutability of Commodification

Abstract

Concerns over the erosion of a comprehensive public conception of morality are longstanding in political philosophy, but while some contemporary political philosophers see the relevant cause as being an increase in the acceptance of ethical relativism, others see this trend as the result of an increased intrusion of a market-based ethos into various social spheres that have traditionally been the province of non-market values. Thus while both accounts agree on the normative claim that there are certain values appropriate to particular areas of our lives, and on the descriptive claim that these values seem to be under threat, each postulate a different aetiology for the perceived phenomenon. This paper tentatively accepts the two claims over which both accounts agree, and examines the question over which they do not; the issue of causation, as well as looking at the feasibility and desirability of reversing the perceived progression. Taking into account cross-cultural longitudinal empirical studies of attitudinal change towards various socio-cultural issues, this paper postulates in qualified accordance with the first proposed aetiology, suggesting ethical and cultural pluralism to be prior to market forces, while accepting the probability that each play a significant role, and looks at the likelihood and advisability of change.