Having and using objects in the western world

This interpretive study explores how Western people construct self and express identity though the objects they acquire, make and use in their day‐to‐day occupation. Drawing on literature from psychology, consumer research, sociology, anthropology, disability studies and popular literature, it proposes that people use objects to reflect self and identity, and to transform self and others. Using a history of ideas methodology, the author argues that Western people take for granted that the objects they have and use reflect an individual rather than collective identity, and suggests that the ways people use objects to construct self and identity are informed by the philosophies of both Stoicism, which emphasises self discipline and rational decision making, and Romanticism which celebrates people's emotional depth, creativity and self expression.