ISSN:
1573-7187
Keywords:
Substantive products
;
Symbolic products
;
Substantive utility
;
Symbolic utility
;
Selfhood
;
Prestige and Vanity
;
Pride and deference
;
Identity and reification
;
Time-frame context of assessment
;
Normal tastes
;
Distorted tastes
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Sociology
,
Economics
Notes:
Abstract The paper distinguishes between two kinds of products, `symbolic' and `substantive'. While substantive products confer welfare utility in the sense of pecuniary benefits, symbolic products accord self-regarding utility. Symbolic products enter the utility function in a way which differs from substantive ones. The paper distinguishes among three kinds of symbolic products and proposes that each has a distorted form. If symbolic products result from forward-looking evaluation, they act as `prestige goods' which please admiration or, when distorted, as `vanity goods' which satiate pretentiousness. When symbolic products originate from forward-looking action, they act as `pride goods' which satisfy respect or, when distorted, as `deference goods' which indulge pomposity. When symbolic products arise from backward-looking evaluation, they act as `identity goods' which enhance dignity or, when distorted, as `reification goods' which gratify reverence.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1005223607947
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