The Environmental Case against Employmentism. Issue 1 (2nd January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morgan-Knapp, Christopher
• Is Part Of: Ethics, policy & environment. Volume 23:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2020-01-02
• Subjects: Employment -- Consumerism -- Work Ethic -- Simple Living -- Thoreau; Environmental ethics -- Periodicals; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; 179.1
• DOI: 10.1080/21550085.2020.1746482
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2155-0085

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Since materially opulent lifestyles are a significant cause of environmental degradation, environmentalists often call for us to live more simply. This call is typically focused on consumption. But our environmental footprint is a function of our paid work as well as our purchases. Consequently, environmentalists should also urge us to work less and to limit the role employment plays in our lives. Defending this claim is the project of this paper. Reducing our economic productivity, I argue, can often be expected to improve the environmentally valuable aspects of both the world and our characters. And, contrary to what some have suggested, working less than is normal needn't involve unfairly free-riding on the productive efforts of others.