| Title |
Towards a Philosophy of a Bio-Based Economy: A Levinassian Perspective on the Relations Between Economic and Ecological Systems |
| ID_Doc |
25161 |
| Authors |
Veraart, R; Blok, V |
| Title |
Towards a Philosophy of a Bio-Based Economy: A Levinassian Perspective on the Relations Between Economic and Ecological Systems |
| Year |
2021 |
| Published |
Environmental Values, 30, 2 |
| DOI |
10.3197/096327120X15916910310626 |
| Abstract |
This paper investigates the fundamental idea at stake in current bioeconomies such as Europe's Bio-Based Economy (BBE). We argue that basing an economy upon ecology is an ambivalent effort, causing confusion and inconsistencies, and that the dominant framing of the damaged biosphere as a market-failure in bioeconomies such as the BBE is problematic. To counter this dominant narrative, we present alternative conceptualisations of bio-economies and indicate which concepts are overlooked. We highlight the specific contradictions and discrepancies in the relation between economy and ecology, and then work towards outlining a genuine and consistent conceptualisation of the BBE. The philosophical perspective of Emmanuel Levinas is employed to develop a more profound understanding of the tensions at stake; Levinas' work is compared with that of Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen's work on bioeconomics, and found to be of complementary value. Our hypothesis is that, rather than the impossible, absolute amalgamation of economy and ecology striven for today, a principal heterogeneity between humankind and nature must be acknowledged if a bioeconomy that truly operates within the canying capacity of planet Earth is to be achieved. |
| Author Keywords |
Bio-based economy; circular economy; enjoyment; Georgescu-Roegen; Levinas; sustainability |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) |
| EID |
WOS:000625637600003 |
| WoS Category |
Ethics; Environmental Studies |
| Research Area |
Social Sciences - Other Topics; Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
| PDF |
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