Economic Futures

Climate Change and Modernity

Ruth Irwin

The life of our planet has reached a critical stage. Its survival depends on our ability to rethink our relationship with ecology, and create a new economy which does not rely on economic growth, and supports care and sustainability for our planet.

This book examines histories of alternative economic theories to advocate for different ways of economic distribution that do not keep producing emissions. It calls into question our philosophy of time, our relationship with ecology, and the original creation of debt, interest, and ways of avoiding exponential economic growth. The author uses ideas from Maori philosophy, Mesopotamian finance and quantum mechanics to set out a new basis for economic theory which is no longer set up on greedy individualism, or a hierarchical trickle-down effect, or even overall economic growth. Instead, this new materialist philosophy emphasises the integration of humanity and the ecosystem, and sets out to create a philosophy of economics built on interconnection and care.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 348 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-78661-511-4 • Hardback • October 2024 • $125.00 • (£96.00)

978-1-78661-513-8 • eBook • October 2024 • $50.00 • (£38.00) (coming soon)

Subjects: Science / Global Warming & Climate Change, Philosophy / Ethics / Environmental Ethics, Philosophy / Continental Philosophy, Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects, Business & Economics / Economics / General

Economic Futures

Climate Change and Modernity

Hardback

Summary

The life of our planet has reached a critical stage. Its survival depends on our ability to rethink our relationship with ecology, and create a new economy which does not rely on economic growth, and supports care and sustainability for our planet.

This book examines histories of alternative economic theories to advocate for different ways of economic distribution that do not keep producing emissions. It calls into question our philosophy of time, our relationship with ecology, and the original creation of debt, interest, and ways of avoiding exponential economic growth. The author uses ideas from Maori philosophy, Mesopotamian finance and quantum mechanics to set out a new basis for economic theory which is no longer set up on greedy individualism, or a hierarchical trickle-down effect, or even overall economic growth. Instead, this new materialist philosophy emphasises the integration of humanity and the ecosystem, and sets out to create a philosophy of economics built on interconnection and care.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 348 • Trim: 6 x 9

978-1-78661-511-4 • Hardback • October 2024 • $125.00 • (£96.00)

978-1-78661-513-8 • eBook • October 2024 • $50.00 • (£38.00) (coming soon)

Subjects: Science / Global Warming & Climate Change, Philosophy / Ethics / Environmental Ethics, Philosophy / Continental Philosophy, Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects, Business & Economics / Economics / General

Author

Ruth Irwin researches climate change, Continental philosophy and political economy and has served as professor at the University of Aberdeen and the University of Fiji. She is the author of Heidegger, Politics and Climate Change and has edited three other books, Climate Change and Philosophy, Labour and Education, and Beyond the Free Market as well as authoring many journal articles and book chapters.

Table of Contents

Acronyms
Section One: Alienation from Nature: Growth and Finance
Chapter One: Scoping New Narratives
Chapter Two: Modern Economic Growth
Chapter Three: Finance and Systemic Growth
Chapter Four: Calculation, Risk and Fear
Section Two: Time and Technology
Chapter Five: Alienation and the Simulacra
Chapter Six: Technology Shapes the Way People Think
Chapter Seven: Ancient Technology, Time, and Debt
Chapter Eight: Thermodynamic Economics
Section Three: Foundational Entanglement
Chapter Nine: Technology, Learning, and Dissolving Alienation
Chapter Ten: Quantum Physics and the Ontological Turn
Chapter Eleven: Postcarbon Futures
Bibliography
About the Author

Reviews

Ruth Irwin’s thoroughly researched book provides a robust critique of the economic and technological orthodoxies that threaten our humanity and future, expounds a cogent heterodox alternative, and illuminates pathways towards life-affirming ecological and community health. This is necessary heresy—and as such should be welcomed, widely read and celebrated.

— Stephen Sterling, professor emeritus of sustainability education, University of Plymouth

A significant contribution to the eco-social-cultural change literature. Imagining something other than the economics of infinite growth has long been difficult for modernist humanity. Gathering diverse wisdoms, Irwin first imagines then makes possible a different economics. What could be more important than an economics built on interconnection and eco-care?

— Sean Blenkinsop, Simon Fraser University

Economic Futures

Climate Change and Modernity

Ruth Irwin

Economic Futures

Climate Change and Modernity

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