Thinking Through Climate Change - A Philosophy of Energy in the Anthropocene

XVII, 265 p. 6 illus.

Preface

1.            Introduction

Part I: Energy Paradox

2.            The Unnatural Growth of the Natural

3.            Walrus Guts and Snake Brains

4.            From Virtues to Volts

5.            Trespassing

6.            I Kant Believe You

Part II. Energy Orthodox

7.            First World Problems

8.            Factor M

9.            Putting Descartes before the Horse

10.          Convenience

11.          Decoupling

12.          Prometheus 2.0

Part III. Energy Heterodox

13.          Look at the Beaver Looking

14.          Invention is the Mother of Necessity

15.          E, Neutrality, and Democracy

16.          Magic, Machines, and Markets

17.          The Honey Badger in the Coal Mine 

18.          Love, Death, and Carbon

 

19.          Conclusion: Climate Change and the Future of Humanity

Index

“With Thinking through Climate Change, Adam Briggle consolidates his position as a leader in the new generation of scientifically savvy environmental philosophers. He distinctively takes the argument for environmentalism to the heartland of its smartest opponents by considering the future of energy and the future of humanity as an indissoluble whole. In graceful, even literary prose, he manages to severely question whether 'Necessity is the mother of invention' will really be able to save us in the end. As someone in Briggle's line of fire, I will be recommending this book to my students.” (Steve Fuller, University of Warwick, Author of Humanity 2.0)

 
“I know of no better introduction to the philosophical conundrum of trying to figure out how to live in the midst of energetic climate mutation. As Briggle deftly puts it, we are faced with a conflict between two ideals --- orthodox (increase energy production and use) versus heterodox (reduce energy) --- that implicate much more than energy politics and policy. The choice is between alternative visions of what it means to be human.” (Carl Mitcham, International Professor of Philosophy of Technology, Renmin University of China)

 

“Public discourse on climate change has been stuck in an ever-narrowing vortex for nearly three decades, the Cassandras on one side and the Panglossians on the other.  What’s desperately needed is an inventive, humane, learned, and above all generous voice to help us get past this idiotic impasse and actually start to know what it would mean to take climate change seriously.  Enter Adam Briggle.” (Daniel Sarewitz, Professor of Science and Society, Arizona State University, USA, and editor of the Issues in Science and Technology journal)

 

 

Offers a unique account of climate change and the future of humanity.

Seeks to facilitate discussion by framing the climate change debate as one of competing views of energy and humans’ relation to it.

Written in a rigorous but accessible style.

Taschenbuch

Springer International Publishing

Adam Briggle is Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Philosophy and Religion at the University of North Texas. He is the author of A Rich Bioethics (2010) and A Field Philosopher’s Guide to Fracking (2015).

Englisch

1st ed. 2021

265