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Emancipatory catastrophism: What does it mean to climate change and risk society?

2014; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 63; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1177/0011392114559951

1461-7064

Ulrich Beck,

Environmental Philosophy and Ethics

The metamorphosis of the world is about the hidden emancipatory side effect of global risk. This article argues that the talk about bads produces ‘common goods’. As such, the argument goes beyond what has been at the heart of the world risk society theory so far: it is not about the negative side effects of goods but the positive side effects of bads. They are producing normative horizons of common goods. This is what the author defines as ‘emancipatory catastrophism’. Emancipatory catastrophism can be seen and analysed by using three conceptual lenses: first, the anticipation of global catastrophe violates sacred (unwritten) norms of human existence and civilization; second, thereby it causes an anthropological shock, and, third, a social catharsis.