'There is no ethical consumption under capitalism' is a wrong view (hexbear.net)

submitted 3 weeks ago by Vampire@hexbear.net to c/chapotraphouse@hexbear.net

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Not because there is ethical consumption under capitalism, but because ethical purity is the wrong goal.

Leftists keep getting distracted by moralising. The aim is to lift the working class.

'There is no ethical consumption under capitalism' is a catchcry used to argue against consumer action because it is morally impure. I don't care whether my actions are morally pure; I care about the results they produce.

Leftists are shit at focusing on the results of their action. The end-game of leftists is to feel morally superior: never mind that no good results have been achieved.

Using syllogistic logic:

Surface premise: 'There is no ethical consumption under capitalism'
Hidden premise: And we should only take actions that are ethically pure
Conclusion: therefore we shouldn't reform consumption

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[-] lil_tank@hexbear.net 13 points 3 weeks ago

Maybe I'm shit at reading between the lines but I don't get if you think consumer action does in fact lift the working class?

My two cents is that "shaming" people for their consumption is more alienating than rallying and that the petit bourgeoisie has a lot more power in choosing what they consume for obvious money reasons ; and that therefore consumer action isn't working in favour of class consciousness. What do you think?