Working the Biosphere: Towards an Environmental Philosophy of Work

Humans have arguably become a geological force that is changing the planet in profound and catastrophic ways. But what are the human practices that have such force? In this paper, we argue that work is exactly such a practice and that it is as workers that many of us are agents of global environment...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental philosophy 2019-10, Vol.16 (2), p.359-378
Main Authors: Lahikainen, Lauri, Toivanen, Tero
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Humans have arguably become a geological force that is changing the planet in profound and catastrophic ways. But what are the human practices that have such force? In this paper, we argue that work is exactly such a practice and that it is as workers that many of us are agents of global environmental change. When carbon dioxide is emitted or forests are cut down, someone is working. Yet we lack adequate descriptive and normative theories of work to understand how we are a geological force. In this paper, we suggest possible beginnings for an environmental philosophy of work.
ISSN:1718-0198
2153-8905
DOI:10.5840/envirophil2018111480