Becoming Truly Human within Planetary Boundaries

Becoming Truly Human within Planetary Boundaries

Why the use of the extreme term 'insanity'? Well, our current way of life in developed countries is gradually making the planet uninhabitable due to the impact of our lifestyle on the climate and the natural world. This presentation delves into the origins of this irrational behavior and suggests potential approaches to address it.

Our awareness of the global peril is underscored by the concept of 'planetary boundaries,' as formulated by leading climate and Earth system scientists worldwide. They have identified critical thresholds for nine subsystems of the Earth, beyond which human activity could trigger abrupt changes that could push the entire system into a state unsuitable for human existence.

Part of the problem lies in the prevailing concept of human identity. A right-wing libertarian (neoliberal) ideology has persuaded many people that we are essentially independent individuals, free to exploit the natural world to satisfy our desires for material comfort, which is often equated with continuous economic growth. Contributing to our ignorance of the severe risks associated with climate disruption and the degradation of the biosphere is what we could term 'the posthuman spectacle.' Our enthusiastic embrace of information technologies and social media tends to reinforce this Cartesian 'individualism,' keeping us immersed in a virtual realm of 'representations' while we remain oblivious to the perils of our physical reality.

A more rational and less harmful understanding of human identity regards us not as isolated individuals but as interconnected beings—interdependent with other humans and countless other entities upon which we rely. Various indigenous philosophies from diverse cultures share this perspective, but for practical reasons, we would benefit from drawing insights from the ancient Chinese philosophical tradition to correct our 'individualist derangement.' By revising our self-concept in a more balanced manner, we can simultaneously instigate significant changes in our social, political, and economic institutions. This transformation would enable us to avert the worst consequences and lead more genuinely human lives.

After the talk, there will be a panel discussion led by:

Dr. Carolina Sánchez De Jaegher (ICON/UCLouvain)
Dr. Katharina Bauer (ESPhil)
Dr. Yogi Hendlin (ESPhil)