Time, Attention, and the Cost of Ethical Consciousness

Ethical consumption demands what Sor Juana possessed and what many lack: time for research, access to information, mental space for reflection, and financial flexibility. Researching company labor practices takes hours. Buying ethically often means traveling to specific stores or paying premium prices. This raises a justice issue Sor Juana would have noticed immediately: can only the educated and wealthy consume ethically? This reproduces inequality. The intellectual work of ethical consumption cannot remain a privileged practice if we claim to pursue justice. Sor Juana would insist we acknowledge this contradiction honestly. Ethical consumption's advocates must fight for conditions—living wages, accessible information, affordable alternatives—that make ethical choice possible for everyone. We cannot burden individual consumers with sole responsibility for systemic injustice. Meanwhile, those with privilege and resources have an obligation to do this intellectual work, not to shame those lacking such resources, but to support structural changes that make ethical consumption accessible to all.