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A Review of Harari and Žižek’s Debate on Trusting Nature
Keywords:
deep ecology, scientific experts, mainstream philosophy, public deliberationAbstract
This paper offers a review of the debate between Harari and Žižek about trusting nature with two aims: first, to demonstrate the chasm between theories embedded in modern philosophy and contemporary ecology; and second, to question the utility of public events in which mainstream intellectuals act as guiding voices. After posing the problem, there will be a general summary of Harari and Žižek’s arguments, then those will be discussed in contrast with diverse authors concerned with ecology. Finally, there will be a general reflection about the place of mainstream philosophy and some forms of scientific expertise in the chaotic state-of-affairs caused by climate change. The article concludes that high-reputed intellectuals cannot help to be out of touch with current matters-of-concerns, therefore leaving their role in public deliberation rather futile.
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