The Idea of Luxury : A Conceptual and Historical Investigation
Overview
In this far-ranging and innovative study Christopher Berry explores the meanings and ramifications of the idea of luxury. Insights from political theory, philosophy and intellectual history are utilised in a sophisticated conceptual analysis that is complemented by a series of specific historical investigations. Dr. Berry suggests that the value attached to luxury is a crucial component in any society's self-understanding, and shows how luxury has changed from being essentially a negative term, threatening social virtue, to a guileless ploy supporting consumption. His analytic focus upon the interplay between the notions of need and desire suggests that luxuries fall into four categories--sustenance, shelter, clothing and leisure--and these are exemplified in sources as diverse as classical philosophy and contemporary advertising.
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Details
- ISBN-13: 9780521466912
- ISBN-10: 0521466911
- Publisher: Cambridge University Press
- Publish Date: June 1994
- Dimensions: 9.22 x 6.08 x 0.72 inches
- Shipping Weight: 0.98 pounds
- Page Count: 292
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