Degrowth by means of technology? A treatise for an ethos of releasement

Abstract

Highlights¥ Technological practice cannot and does not let objects be. ¥ This leads to an increase in the cumulative matter/energy throughput. ¥ To achieve degrowth, throughput must reduce. ¥ Releasement of objects leads to a reduction in throughput. ¥ An ethos of releasement is needed to degrowth. AbstractThe large-scale ecological damage caused by growth societies calls for economic degrowth in terms of a radical decrease in matter/energy throughput. This article examines the role of modern technology in degrowth with a focus on the question of agency and its ethical implications. After conceptualising technology as practice, the paper finds that while technological practice encompasses an agency for social change, it is restricted to transforming the non-human world to human-made objects. This is because in technological practice the world and its objects unfold as a standing-reserve for human use. Due to this calculative and anthropocentric thinking, technological practice does not and cannot support the emergence of a kind of agency that either does or can let things be. Moreover, the more technological the practice, the more objects are utilised. The paper concludes that technological practice does not support the transition to degrowth, because it directs its agents towards the continuous transformation of non-human-made objects into humanmade objects resulting in an increase in cumulative throughput. The paper thus suggests that an ethos of releasement is needed to attain, as well as to live in, a degrowth society. The rationale provided for refraining from the technological practice in order to contribute to ecologically sensible social change is the chief contribution of this paper.

Leaving Productivism behind: Towards a Holistic and Processual Philosophy of Ecological Management

“…Instead, as Schumacher ([1973Schumacher ([ ] 1974 noted, 'we can interest ourselves in the evolution of small-scale technology, relatively non-violent technology, 'technology with a human face', so that people have a change to enjoy themselves while they are working […]'. In addition, to applying technology in a scaled way that is in accord with the setting and more meaningful from the humanist point of view, less control of nature should be aimed for to enable the rest of nature to act as agent of its own (Heikkurinen 2018;Heikkurinen 2019).…”

“…Jackson 2009;Wiedmann et al 2015;Ward et al 2016), and the second to so-called cleaner technologies (see e.g . Foster 2009;Hornborg 2014;Heikkurinen 2018).…”

Threats and Risks of Intellectual Security in Russia in the Conditions of World Globalization

“…In the context of the ongoing scientific and technological revolution and the transition of the most developed countries to the sixth technological order, the main resource of modern development clearly becomes human potential (Sagiyeva, Zhuparova, Ruzanov, Doszhan, Askerov, 2018;Heikkurinen, 2018;Stock, Obenaus, Kunz, Kohl, 2018). The rate of regional economic development and the competitiveness of modern states largely depend on the availability of educated and competent specialists who create and use innovative technologies that increase the productivity of professional activities (Omelyanenko, Semenets-Orlova, Khomeriki, Lyasota, Medviedieva, 2018).…”

Activities of degrowth and political change

“…This can be considered the minimum definition of degrowth (Heikkurinen, 2016; Kallis et al, 2018), but it is not an adequate description in the absence of a call to politicise the economy (Fournier, 2008).…”

“…The radical idea of a degrowth society signifies a largescale cultural reorientation, including changes in social structures, values, and activities (see Latouche, [2007Latouche, [ ] 2009. And being so, the call for degrowth touches upon the very fundamentals of how time and human energy are used in modern societies (Heikkurinen, 2016).…”