Ecological Economics: a possible reference for the design of actually sustainable human systems

Authors

• Clóvis Cavalcanti Prof. adjunto da UFPE.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17058/redes.v22i2.9407

Keywords:

Isolated system. Importance of happiness. Open system. Ecological economics. Laws of Thermodynamics. Sustainability. Affection.

Abstract

In the prevailing model of the typical economist, the economy is seen as an isolated system, without an environment, ignoring the ecosystem, the biophysical framework of the real economic system. It ignores the importance of happiness for social life as well. In fact, people are mainly looking to be happy. What would reality be if the motto, instead of accelerating economic growth, was to accelerate happiness? Of course, one must look at the economic system from another perspective, not as an isolated system, but as an open system with inputs and outputs of matter and energy. It is exactly here that a new field of work, Ecological Economics, emerges. The Laws of Thermodynamics have in it a decisive meaning, in the same way as the pursuit of human happiness. The question is about explaining how the desirable (happiness) fits within the limits of the possible (nature). Sustainability has to do with that. But it is only accomplished with the cement of affection.