Asceticism and Consumerism

Coping with Devils and Climate Change with the Help of Asceticism? Exploring the Role of Asceticism as Trigger of Collective Climate Action

“…First, by exploring asceticism's transformative power through the lens of social movement and identity theory, we develop a novel perspective of how asceticism might develop the potential for sparking political activism. Second, we extend prior environmental ethics research by Chapple 2008 andRasmussen 2008, who have both shown that the link between asceticism and pro-environmental behaviour is not dependent on a particular ethical tradition (such as Christianity). In fact, each and every one of us needs to think about what we can renounce.…”

“…Nevertheless, some prior research has not only highlighted how asceticism can be linked 'inwards' towards the individual, but also 'outwards' towards the community Environmental Values 32(5) and society at large. It can, therefore, make an important contribution towards society with less consumption and a more 'earth-honouring' way of life (e.g., Rasmussen 2008). Recently, such an outward and community-oriented perspective of asceticism was emphasised by Balthrop-Lewis (2021) in her study of Thoreau's religion.…”

“…In fact, religious and specifically monastic asceticism is still important, and modern religious thinkers have frequently reflected on the relevance of their ascetic traditions to the environment as well. For example, Rasmussen (2008) studies the role of Christian ascetism as a 'soulcraft' in order to counter today's mass consumption culture. In particular, he highlights the speech of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, leader of 250 million Orthodox Christians, who noted that 'Asceticism, alive since the formative years of the Christian movement, has always been about living lightly, gently, and equitably upon earth' Environmental Values 32(5) (Bartholomew [1997] as cited in Rasmussen [2008: 505]).…”