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The Meaning Of Things - Domestic Symbols And The Self

by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, Eugene Halton
RM22.57 MYR
The Meaning Of Things - Domestic Symbols And The Self - Thryft
The Meaning Of Things - Domestic Symbols And The Self - Thryft

Discover the Meaning Behind Your Material Possessions

"The Meaning of Things" offers a unique perspective on the relationship between people and things. By studying the emotional attachments people have with common household objects, the authors uncover the significance of materialism in contemporary urban life. Through case studies of four families, the book highlights the cultivation of meaning through signs and demonstrates how it creates warm relationships between people and their homes. The book also emphasizes the importance of human capacities for the creation and redirection of meaning in times of environmental and material exploitation.Encouraging readers to reconsider how material possessions can shape their lives, "The Meaning of Things" is a stimulating and compelling read for anyone interested in the significance of our environment.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

The Meaning Of Things - Domestic Symbols And The Self

by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, Eugene Halton
RM22.57 MYR
ISBN: 9780521287746
Authors: Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, Eugene Halton
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Date of Publication: 1981-10-30
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: Philosophy, Art, Sociology
Related Topics: Art Design, Design
Goodreads rating: 3.65
(rated by 123 readers)

Description

The meaning of things is a study of the significance of material possessions in contemporary urban life, and of the ways people carve meaning out of their domestic environment. Drawing on a survey of eighty families in Chicago who were interviewed on the subject of their feelings about common household objects, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Eugene Rochberg-Halton provide a unique perspective on materialism, American culture, and the self. They begin by reviewing what social scientists and philosophers have said about the transactions between people and things. In the model of 'personhood' that the authors develop, goal-directed action and the cultivation of meaning through signs assume central importance. They then relate theoretical issues to the results of their survey. An important finding is the distinction between objects valued for action and those valued for contemplation. The authors compare families who have warm emotional attachments to their homes with those in which a common set of positive meanings is lacking, and interpret the different patterns of involvement. They then trace the cultivation of meaning in case studies of four families. Finally, the authors address what they describe as the current crisis of environmental and material exploitation, and suggest that human capacities for the creation and redirection of meaning offer the only hope for survival. A wide range of scholars - urban and family sociologists, clinical, developmental and environmental psychologists, cultural anthropologists and philosophers, and many general readers - will find this book stimulating and compelling.
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

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Similar Reads

Discover the Meaning Behind Your Material Possessions

"The Meaning of Things" offers a unique perspective on the relationship between people and things. By studying the emotional attachments people have with common household objects, the authors uncover the significance of materialism in contemporary urban life. Through case studies of four families, the book highlights the cultivation of meaning through signs and demonstrates how it creates warm relationships between people and their homes. The book also emphasizes the importance of human capacities for the creation and redirection of meaning in times of environmental and material exploitation.Encouraging readers to reconsider how material possessions can shape their lives, "The Meaning of Things" is a stimulating and compelling read for anyone interested in the significance of our environment.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.