Abstracts
Abstract
Crisis narratives are stories meant to persuade that one exists in a state of emergency. Under extractive capitalism, crisis narratives frame the scope of ethical behaviour in response to crisis. Once set, these crisis ethics promote conformity in labour practices to avoid catastrophe. Surrendering the means to self-define priorities, values, and identity of the academic library profession creates a more pliable work force. This essay uses critical and philosophical methods to apply lessons learned from landscapes ruined by extractive capitalism to professional library practice fractured by alienation, diremption, and dispossession. A critique of the exploitation of ethics of fear and hope is offered, along with a method for identifying these as they appear in crisis narratives. The essay concludes with a recommendation to pursue an ethics of unity, predicated on promoting flourishing through professional mutualism, dedication to direct action, and a focus on sustainability.
Keywords:
- crisis narratives,
- ethics,
- mutualism,
- sustainability
Résumé
Les récits de crise sont des histoires destinées à persuader que l'on existe dans un état d'urgence. Sous le capitalisme extractif, les récits de crise délimitent le comportement éthique en réponse à la crise. Une fois fixées, ces éthiques de crise favorisent la conformité des pratiques de travail pour éviter la catastrophe. Céder les moyens d'auto-définir les priorités, les valeurs et l'identité de la profession de bibliothécaire universitaire crée une main-d'œuvre plus malléable. Cet essai utilise des méthodes critiques et philosophiques pour appliquer les leçons apprises des territoire dévastés par le capitalisme extractif à la pratique professionnelle de la bibliothèque fracturée par l'aliénation, la disjonction et la dépossession. Une critique de l'exploitation de l'éthique de la peur et de l'espoir est proposée, ainsi qu'une méthode pour les identifier telles qu'elles apparaissent dans les récits de crise. L'essai se termine par une recommandation de poursuivre une éthique de l'unité, fondée sur la promotion de l'épanouissement par le mutualisme professionnel, le dévouement à l'action directe et l'accent mis sur la durabilité.
Mots-clés :
- durabilité,
- éthique,
- mutualisme,
- récits de crise
Appendices
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