As the world grapples with the existential threat of climate change, philosophers are increasingly turning their attention to the crisis, seeking to understand its complexities and develop effective responses. At its core, the climate crisis is a moral and philosophical issue, requiring a profound rethinking of our relationship with the natural world and our place within it. However, it is misguided to assume that philosophy’s primary role is to promote moral education, teaching people to do the right thing and fostering hope for the future. Instead, philosophy must provide a clear understanding of the crisis and our role within it, informing subsequent action and enabling us to think adequately about the predicament we face.
The climate crisis is a planetary-wide existential crisis, threatening the future of most life on Earth. It is not simply a matter of reducing emissions and adopting virtuous behaviors, but rather a radical transformation of our way of being in the world. We need to recognize that the crisis did not originate from poor moral thinking, but rather from an unsustainable way of being that has led most of the current biophysical world to the brink of extinction. Climate action must be informed by this dire predicament, rather than relying on the misleading hope that improved moral thinking is the best path to future goodness.
Philosophy should not be seen as a form of abstract moral thinking that provides universal values, but rather as a concrete practice of knowledge that puts humans in their right place within the natural world. It is time to rethink the complexity of the mutual embeddedness of all living beings and to help build a more habitable and just planet. This requires an “ethics of place,” a concrete way of being that involves living in a way that doesn’t degrade other places, people, and species.
In this regard, hope is not always a good thing. Hope can be an unphilosophical and irrational concept, arising from a false belief regarding the reality of things. Instead of relying on hope, we should focus on clear thinking and reliable knowledge to ensure the future of life on Earth. An adequate knowledge of the crisis allows us to properly learn to live in it, to allow other living species to live in it, and to generate a more just and equitable future for all.
Ultimately, the climate crisis requires a radical transformation of our way of being in the world. We need to adopt alternative ways of existing, both as individuals and as a species, and be open-minded to new practices in agriculture, biodiversity conservation, reforestation, carbon capture, and climate and bioengineering. This is not the time to anticipate a good for which we lack the appropriate concepts to understand it, but rather to properly understand the present and build a livable future. The creation of a truly shared world means not adjusting our moral values, but keeping the planet habitable for all lifeforms. By embracing this reality, we can work towards a future that is uncertain, yet potentially more just and equitable for all.
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