Wachstumswahnsinn – Vor- und Nachdenker der Philosophie des Rückgangs

Abstract

The progress of technology is considered by the majority as a reasonable endeavor. Nevertheless, the author tries to show that technological progress, in spite of its benefits, causes a variety of absurd dangers because of its uncontrolled growth. The author introduces the leading thinkers of a movement known as “Decroissance” which argues for a “philosophy of degrowth”. Degrowth means the undoing of technological growth and demands an end of its philosophy of “faster, wider, higher and more”. A destructive power can be seen in this, causing overexploitation in nature as well as the annihilation of humankind, not just by the machinery of war. Indeed, in view of the ecological and economical crises of our time, such as species extinction, the contaminations of the soil, the air and the sea, climate change and its impact on many societies, military conflicts due to scarce resources, then a return to more simplicity, frugality and reserve seems quite reasonable and absolutely essential in order to put an end to the madness. Hence the idea of “Decroissance” is quite relevant today and this article gives an instructive overview.