Economic philosophy and the anthropocene

- understand the role of nature-culture dualism in the history of Western thought;
- be able to formulate certain philosophical and economic issues relating to the interdependence between the actions of human beings and the functioning of the Earth system
- be able to explain the presuppositions of the arguments mobilised by the various protagonists in a controversy that puts economic and environmental issues in tension.
- be able to mobilise a coherent normative framework in the formulation of an ethical assessment.

From a philosophical point of view, the Anthropocene invites us to reexamine the nature/culture dualism that has long held sway over Western thought. From an economic point of view, the Anthropocene raises new epistemological and ethical questions about growth and its colour (green or not green), indicators of wealth and well-being, 'natural resources', the respective missions of the private and public sectors, and the role of companies and citizens. At the crossroads of philosophy and economics, where ideas common to both disciplines emerge and flourish, we will examine some of the 'ideas of the Anthropocene', such as sustainable development, catastrophe, transition, metamorphosis and impact, as well as ideas that the Anthropocene leads us to revisit, such as planning, responsibility, freedom, equality and democracy.

I - Introduction / II - The idea of the Anthropocene / III - The nature-culture dualism / IV - The quest for abundance / V - Uncertainty and the figures of the Anthropocene
V - Uncertainty and figures of change / VI - Democracy versus authoritarianism: the question of freedom / VII - The end of the world or the end of the month: the question of equality

C2: Complexity - The themes addressed by this elective make it possible to link the historical, social, political, philosophical and economic dimensions of contemporary problems. It contributes to the development of an understanding of the interdependence of the "natural" and "cultural" dimensions of phenomena.
C4: Ethical and Responsible Management - This course aims to deepen the understanding of certain ethical controversies that arise in the search for the common good and to better understand the representations underlying the different points of view.
C5: Vision and strategy - This elective contributes to a better understanding of certain contradictions at work in contemporary world developments.

A written dossier of approximately eight pages on a theme chosen by the student in consultation with the teacher. (100% written)

Bonneuil, C., & Fressoz, J. (2016). L’Événement Anthropocène. La Terre, l’histoire et nous (Points histoire). POINTS.
Charbonnier, P. (2020). Abondance et liberté. La Découverte.
Latour, B., (2015). Face à Gaïa – huit conférences sur le nouveau régime climatique. La découverte.

Guillaume Quiquerez