College of Arts and Sciences Education

General Education – Science

2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

HUMAN FLOURISHING IN PROGRESS AND DE-DEVELOPMENT

Activity 1. Now that you've understood Hickel's concept of de-development. You require to
explain the following ideas of the essential knowledge part of this unit.
1. What is the primary objective or purpose of the Sustainable Development
Goals of the United Nations?
To get rid of poverty by 2030. The main scheme for eradicating poverty is growth. Growth
has been the main object of development for the past 70 years despite the fact that it’s not
working.

2. What is the standardized unit that measures resource use and waste?

“global hectares”. This figure is roughly what the average person in Ghana or
Guatemala consumes.

3. What is the standard response to eradicate poverty?

When poverty is eradicated, the usual response is to promote overall economic

growth, provide access to basic services like healthcare and education, and
implement social security programs to support vulnerable populations.

4. What is the threshold of the Earth for adequately sustaining life?

The Earth's threshold for effectively sustainable life is 1.9 hectares.

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 College of Arts and Sciences Education
General Education – Science
2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

5. According to the majority of middle-and high-income countries, what puts the

planet and society at risk?
Overconsumption is putting our planet and society at risk.

6. How many hectares should each of us consume annually based on the

resources available on the planet?
Our planet only has enough resources for each of us to consume 1.8 “global hectares”.

7. In this article, what are the two items about the quality of life?

In addition to life expectancy, considering the overall happiness and well-being of

individuals.

8. What crisis on the planet would force us to slow down if we do not do so

voluntarily?

There are lots of problems on Earth that could cause us to slow down if we don't
decide to take it slowly.

Climate change is one of the main problems, along with things like inappropriate
tree-cutting, loss of many plant and animal species, and pollution of the air and
water.

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 College of Arts and Sciences Education
General Education – Science
2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

9. According to Dr. Jason Hickel, what must be done instead of urging developing
countries to 'catch up" with rich ones?
We should be thinking of ways to get rich countries to “catch down” to more
appropriate levels of

development.

10. How would the different areas of the world react to the idea of de-development?

The idea of de-development would prove to be a strong rallying cry in the global
south base on the recent consumer survey.

Activity 2. In this part, you are once again required to explain your answer thoroughly
on the questions below:

1. Why must we change our Paradigm of Growth and consumption to that of" de-
development?
To ensure the global economy's long-term viability, we need to change our growth and
consumption paradigms to those of "de-development."

2. Why are the terms, de-development, de-growth, and zero seemingly unacceptable
to the common framework of human progress?
Because it implies a limit to growth or no growth/learning at all, it is an insult to
someone who is described as de-growth and zero growth.

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 College of Arts and Sciences Education
General Education – Science
2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

3. How has the notion of growth enframed us?

We are encapsulated by the concept of progress, determined by the
approach through which we enhance the economic development of
our nation and influence our quality of life.

4. How do we improve our lives and yet reduce our consumption?

By keeping a check of the things we need and keep donating the rest. For
example, instead of using paper for writing, we can use notes form our
gadgets, In this way, we save a lot of paper and trees. Also, taking notes in
our gadgets will improve our lifestyle.

5. What are the similarities and differences between Heidegger’s The Question
Concerning Technology and Hickel’s article?
Both persons are focused with proposing their own thoughts based on
emerging modern technology. According to Heidegger, modern technology has
become an essential part of people's daily lives, and technological equipment
has improved significantly since the past. And, according to Hickleman's article,
technological improvements will not help to eradicate natural calamities on the
world.

Activity 3. Clearly, Hickel from his article showed us how progress and development
are equated with growth and higher consumption, which could be the development
indicator. In this portion of the unit, you require again to give your synthesis,
conclusions, or arguments relevant to the topic presented. I will supply the first item,
and you will continue the rest.

1. De-development or reducing the use of resources for impoverished country to

catch up would be the right paradigm shift, especially when it limits climate
change. But, there might be no stopping or shifting by rich countries since growth
is always be the strategy for economic rise.

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 College of Arts and Sciences Education
General Education – Science
2nd Flr. DPT Building, Matina Campus, Davao City
Phone No. : (082)300-5456/305-0647 Local 134

2. To traverse the challenges of sustainable development, a

paradigm shift toward de-development is necessary. By limiting
resource-intensive growth impoverished countries, we
encourage an environmentally conscientious route that
addresses both economic disparities and environmental
concerns. However, overcoming the inertia of affluent countries
committed to growth-oriented plans remains a hard challenge.

3. The quandary worsens as the global economic landscape

becomes entrenched in the belief that perpetual growth equates
with progress. Rich countries, motivated by the pursuit of
economic dominance, may be hesitant to embrace de-
development. The challenge is not only to redefine success, but
also to create a shared commitment to a more equitable and
environmentally responsible future.

4. Hickel's insights call into question the conventional wisdom that

economic growth is an unchanging panacea. Moving the
narrative from relentless expansion to a sustainable model
necessitates a rethinking of societal values and policies. De-
development emerges as a strategic evolution, challenging
nations to rebalance their developmental trajectories for the
benefit of both their citizens and the environment.

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