Ecomodernism: Sustainability and Human Flourishing.

Abstract

What is ecomodernism? Where did it come from? What are its values? What could be the strongest defense of these values to overcome the current stalemate and polarization in environmental politics? This thesis investigates the origins and values of ecomodernism and offers a normative account of these values. Part I (The Origins of Ecomodernism) explores where ecomodernism comes from. It explains that ecomodernism builds from something. Consequently, it provides a historical account of its precursors and development in Chapter 1. It also starts to justify its uniqueness as an environmental discourse in relation to reformist environmental discourses such as ecological modernization. To provide a thorough exhaustive exposition of these origins, I detail in Chapter 2 how and why ecomodernism also starts in opposition to something. Namely, the broadly accepted concept of limits as understood by radical and mainstream Western environmentalism. Part II (The Values of Ecomodernism) systematizes ecomodernism. It contains the argument that ecomodernism has four core values: Pragmatism, unorthodox Prometheanism, modernization, and weak Anthropocentrism. Pragmatism, unorthodox Prometheanism and modernization make up the “modernism” of ecomodernism. I argue that the meanings of these concepts are complex and diverse, and should be taken into account to make sense of ecomodernism. Weak Anthropocentrism makes up the “eco” of ecomodernism. It involves a new set of human-nature relationships, whose virtues and limitations are analyzed and reconceptualized in detail. In Part III (The Ethics and Political Theory of Ecomodernism) I outline my own version of ecomodernism. I argue in Chapter 5 that breakthrough technologies can help to promote just ecological transitions by extending human substantive freedoms if they are followed by rational consumption of critical ecosystem goods and services.