Friday, March 11, 2011

ESL Discussion Questions about Materialism

Materialism (* Two aspects to this word: the possessions question and the material-spirit question.  These discussion questions will mostly focus on the first question.*)

What is it?  The idea that people are overly-attached or overly-desirous to have material possessions.  They want too much stuff. It is also the idea that there is no spirit or no soul — here and now is all there is.  There is nothing transcendent.*)

Is materialism a good or a bad thing?  Is this an important question?

Are we spirits in a material world?  Is there a supernatural?  What do most Chinese believe?  Are there questions science cannot answer?


Do you have enough material possessions?  Do you need more?  Do you need less?  Do you feel bad because you don't have the latest gadget or a car or a big house?  Should you feel bad because of this?

Are you materialistic?  Do you like to collect things?  Is collecting a good hobby?

Could you up and leave your material possessions?  Women:  Could you stop wearing jewelery?   Is shopping a good way to use your time?  Does buying things satisfy you permanently or for a short time?  Do you immediately need to buy the next thing?  Can a thing provide constant satisfaction or does it soon bore us?  Do we shop because we are bored?  Do we shop because we don't know what to do?

China has become a consumer society.  Good thing?

What is your most valued material possession?   Have you bought something and then wished you had not?

Do some people value their stuff more than people?

Do you like to travel light in life?

How do you feel when you lose a thing?  Is it really bad to lose a computer or mobile phone?  Why?

Are people happy because they are rich?  Or are people happier because they are richer than people they know?  Would winning a lot of money or having a lot of money given to you make you happy?

Is there a nobility in poverty?  Can poor people be happy?

Who would you listen to first: a teacher, a rich businessman, a scientist, a monk, your parents?

What is Life about?  What are we supposed to do with our lives?

What does this mean "You can't take it with you when you die."?

"He who has the most stuff wins."  Agree?

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