Speaker
Description
This paper asks what is envisaged for being in a post growth world. It stems from the observation that in calling for a transformation of human relations in almost every sphere of action, post growth and degrowth, are in some way talking about a transformation of human being. For example, according to Savini (2024, p. 4) ‘Degrowth envisions a shift in the social norms that sustain the compulsion to grow, accumulate, exploit and prioritise productivity’. I have argued elsewhere (Low & Sturup, 2018; Sturup & Low, 2017) that being is both constituted by, and constituting of, social norms. Therefore, a titanic shift of the nature called for by Savini, is going to have ontological implications.
Undertaking a substantial review of the post-growth and degrowth literature, combined with a personal journey through a process of degrowing, this paper considers the ontological implications of degrowth. In so doing the paper attempts to expose those ways of being most likely to be confronted during a transformation to this new world. A world which many ache for, but at the same times forces us to confront central constructions of who we are, how we validate ourselves, and what we therefore might do.
References
Low, N., & Sturup, S. (2018). Being and planning, world formation and authenticity in Heideggerian analysis. Planning Theory, 17(3), 313-331. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473095217704234
Savini, F. (2024). Strategic planning for degrowth: What, who, how. Planning Theory, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/14730952241258693
Sturup, S., & Low, N. (2017). On What Ground Stands Strategic Planning AESOP, Lisbon. https://api.aesop-planning.eu/server/api/core/bitstreams/c17db328-7e7d-420d-a7b4-906c8046dfc5/content
| Keywords | Ontological transformation; Post-growth futures; degrowth futures. |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
