Intended Learning Outcomes

 Discuss human flourishing in the context of progress

in S and T;
 Explain De-Developing as a progress development
framework; and
 Differentiate traditional frameworks of progress
and development and Hickel’s De-Developing
framework.
 Introduction

• We can see all around us many infrastructures.

• Development is equated with growth and greater
consumption-meaning the more that a population
is able to consume, the wealthier this population is.
 Review

Instructions: Examine and critique the photos using

the guide questions?
1. What issue is depicted in the photo?
2. Does the photo evoke a “bringing forth” or a
“challenging forth”
3. Justify your claim.
 Presentation

Instructions: Group work. Discuss

with your group your thoughts on the
following.
1. How do you think overconsumption puts
our planet and society at risk?
2. What are the manifestations of society’s
tendency to overproduce and overconsume?
3. Should middle- and high income countries
regulate their growth and consumption?
Why or why not?
 Discussion

Human Flourishing in Progress

 Human Flourishing in Progress

Vanderweele (2017) defines human flourishing as the

effort of an individual to achieve self-actualization and
fulfillment not only for their own but also, and as a
requisite of human flourishing.,
 Human Flourishing in Progress

As such, human flourishing then consists of a broad

range of outcomes.
Human Flourishing in Progress

Human flourishing drives us to believe that it is,

in fact, a lifelong journey of human existence.
Human Flourishing in Progress

To achieve human flourishing, humans must

journey through the positives and the negatives
of life.
Human Flourishing in Progress

The journey to human flourishing is also not

some mindless process. Reaching it demands
self-direction and autonomy.
 Human Flourishing in Progress

As the individual journeys in the pursuit of human

flourishing, he also moves closer and closer to
becoming a human person.
 Human Flourishing in Progress

A human person is the term used in Philosophy to

describe the essence of humankind , or the meaning of
being human.
 Human Flourishing in Progress

First, a human person is

a physical being.
Human Flourishing in Progress

Second, a human person

is a knower.
Human Flourishing in Progress
 Human Flourishing in Progress

Finally, a human person is

a person in relation to other
persons.
Human Flourishing in Progress

In the quest of human flourishing, one could not

factor out the role of science and technology.
 Human Flourishing in Progress

Prof. Lawrence Principe said, “we can’t (today) go two

steps without running into science and technology”.
 Human Flourishing in Progress

To achieve the requisites of human flourishing, we

must understand that the human body today is
exposed to so many 21st century risk factors.
 Human Flourishing in Progress

Although it is true that S and T have cause many of

our travails as individuals and societies today, S and
T are the very same reason as well why we live with
some comfort, efficiency, and joy.
 Human Flourishing in Progress

In the words of the German poet Friedrich Holderlin,

as quoted by Heidegger, “where danger is, grows the
saving power also” (1977, p. 14).
Checkpoint:
Human Flourishing and De –
Development
 Introduction
Although there is no standard measure of
inequality, the report claimed that most
indicators suggest that the widening
growth gap slowed or fell during the
financial crisis and is now growing
again.
 Introduction

This brings forth the continued

sharpening of inequality appearing
paradoxical having in mind and efforts, that
had been poured in on the development
efforts to assist poor countries to rise from
absent to slow progress.
 Introduction

 Are we really progressing?

 Introduction

 Are we flourishing as individuals or as

collective whole?
 Introduction

 Can we possibly confront the challenges

of development, though in a
nonconformist framework?
DE-DEVELOPMENT
https://
www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2015/sep/23/developing-po
or-countries-de-develop-rich-countries-sdgs
Assignment:
After reading the article, write a 300
– 500 word reaction paper regarding
Hickel’s article. In your paper, make
sure that you answer the following
questions:
1. What does “de-development” mean? How is it
different from the traditional notions of progress?
2. How do you feel about the term “de-development”?
Do you feel that it is counterintuitive for the
concept of human flourishing and progress?
3. Why must we alter our standard of development and
consumption to that of “de-development”?
4. What is the centrality of human flourishing to
science and innovation?
5. Do you agree on his views regarding progress and
development and how to measure them?
Why or why not?
SUMMARY
The following learning points summarize what you
have learned in this section:
 Different cultures have different views on human
flourishing. Nevertheless, human flourishing has
certain characteristics such as the involvement of
practice, sustainment across time, and being
involved in different domains of life.
 Science and technology have certain roles to
play in human flourishing. However, letting
science be corrupted may lead to negative
impacts with respect to human flourishing.
 Jason Hickel claimed more growth or shifting
growth from developed to developing nations are
inadequate strategies to finally end the problem of
poverty. He asserted we have continually going past
our capacity to generate supply of renewable resources
and to absorb surplus.

Developing countries are also overconsuming.

 Hickel said that instead of poor countries
catching up to grow as much as rich countries,
rich countries could consider reaching more
appropriate levels of development. Living long
and happy lives, despite low incomes, could be
the target or goal instead of increasing growth.
This means that though countries might have
high incomes, this does not equate to a long
lives, literate citizens, and generally happy lives.
 He asserted that countries may consider de-
development, a shift of focus from economic
growth to life expectancy and happiness. The
idea is for people to aim for having a better
value of life instead of acquiring and producing
more: quality over quantity. Though many
believe that material gain is not overly
necessary to achieve over-all happiness and
many question the current way of thinking about
progress, it is difficult to “sell” the concept of
----De-development because of the connotations
of the language used by those who promote it,
terms such as de-growth, zero growth, de-
development, which implies a backwards way of
living. However, the goal is actually becoming
appropriately developed.
 According to Hickel, solutions to achieving this
goal include banning advertising, a shorter
working week, and a basic income. Hickel
warned us that if we insist of too much growth,
the environment will stop us from growing, and
that we will up on poverty, something that we
aimed to escape from.