André Gorz & Ecological Transition: Rethinking Work & Degrowth
Philosopher Céline Marty is urging a renewed focus on the work of André Gorz, a 20th-century thinker who argued that ecological preservation necessitates a fundamental rethinking of work and economic growth. Marty, a professor of philosophy and author of a forthcoming book on Gorz, contends that the current environmental crisis demands a return to Gorz’s ideas about “decroissance” – a planned reduction of production – and the democratization of labor.
Gorz, who died in 2007, first gained prominence in the 1970s with his critiques of consumerism and the alienating nature of modern work. According to the Institut d’Etudes Economiques et Sociales pour la Décroissance Soutenable, Gorz argued that even stabilized consumption of limited resources would inevitably lead to their depletion, and that reducing consumption was the only realistic path to sustainability. He challenged the notion that economic growth automatically alleviates inequality, pointing to statistical evidence suggesting the opposite.
Marty emphasizes that a successful ecological transition cannot come at the expense of workers. “Yes, there are ecological issues, but we don’t want workers to be the losers,” she stated, highlighting the necessitate to redesign jobs to avoid sacrificing livelihoods in the name of environmental protection. She draws attention to the concept of “bullshit jobs” – positions that are ultimately pointless – as a symptom of a fundamentally flawed organization of labor.
A core tenet of Gorz’s philosophy, as Marty explains, is the need to liberate time. This involves a reduction in working hours, allowing individuals to pursue more fulfilling activities. “We must work less,” she asserts, arguing that this is essential for reconciling individual well-being with planetary preservation. Gorz envisioned a society where work is democratized, moving away from the traditional employer-employee relationship towards self-management and collective control.
Marty too critiques the separation of economic and political spheres, citing Gorz’s observation that individuals often sense compelled to prioritize economic concerns over political participation. “My economic affairs are too important for me to participate in political life, so I delegate this political power to representatives to dedicate myself to the economic city,” she paraphrased Gorz as saying. This delegation, she argues, hinders the possibility of a genuine transition towards a more sustainable and equitable society.
The discussion around Gorz’s work also raises difficult questions about the fate of workers employed by polluting industries. Marty acknowledges the dilemma of denouncing environmentally damaging companies while simultaneously considering the livelihoods of their employees. This tension, she notes, is a common point of contention within ecological movements.
According to Wikipedia, Gorz’s intellectual journey began with existentialism, influenced by Jean-Paul Sartre, and later embraced the ideas of Ivan Illich. He co-founded the Nouvel Observateur in 1964, writing under the pseudonym Michel Bosquet. His work consistently advocated for a radical transformation of society, viewing ecology as a potential catalyst for broader social change.
As of February 14, 2026, the implications of the ecological crisis for the future of work remain a central question. The Institut Momentum highlights Gorz’s call to “redefine work,” not simply by creating green jobs, but by fundamentally rethinking the meaning of labor itself.