This book examines frugality as an ideal and an 'art de vivre' which implies a low level of
material consumption and a simple lifestyle to open the mind for spiritual goods as inner
freedom social peace and justice or the quest for God or 'ultimate reality'. By rational
choice we can develop a more frugal and sufficient way of life but material temptations can
always overwrite our ecological social and ethical considerations. But the spiritual case for
frugality is strong enough. Spiritually based frugal practices may lead to rational outcomes
such as reducing ecological destruction social disintegration and the exploitation of future
generations.
