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Posthuman Affirmative Business Ethics: Reimagining Human–Animal Relations Through Speculative Fiction

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Listed:
  • Janet Sayers

    (Massey University)

  • Lydia Martin

    (University of Auckland)

  • Emma Bell

    (The Open University)

Abstract

Posthuman affirmative ethics relies upon a fluid, nomadic conception of the ethical subject who develops affective, material and immaterial connections to multiple others. Our purpose in this paper is to consider what posthuman affirmative business ethics would look like, and to reflect on the shift in thinking and practice this would involve. The need for a revised understanding of human–animal relations in business ethics is amplified by crises such as climate change and pandemics that are related to ecologically destructive business practices such as factory farming. In this analysis, we use feminist speculative fiction as a resource for reimagination and posthuman ethical thinking. By focusing on three ethical movements experienced by a central character named Toby in Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy, we show how she is continually becoming through affective, embodied encounters with human and nonhuman others. In the discussion, we consider the vulnerability that arises from openness to affect which engenders heightened response-ability to and with, rather than for, multiple others. This expanded concept of subjectivity enables a more relational understanding of equality that is urgently needed in order to respond affirmatively to posthuman futures.

Suggested Citation

  • Janet Sayers & Lydia Martin & Emma Bell, 2022. "Posthuman Affirmative Business Ethics: Reimagining Human–Animal Relations Through Speculative Fiction," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 178(3), pages 597-608, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:178:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-021-04801-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-021-04801-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nelarine Cornelius & Miguel Martinez Lucio & Fiona Wilson & Suzanne Gagnon & Robert MacKenzie & Eric Pezet, 2010. "Ethnicity, Equality and Voice: The Ethics and Politics of Representation and Participation in Relation to Equality and Ethnicity," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 97(1), pages 1-7, December.
    2. Janet Sayers & Lindsay Hamilton & Kate Sang, 2019. "Organizing animals: Species, gender and power at work," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(3), pages 239-245, April.
    3. Felicia Keesing & Lisa K. Belden & Peter Daszak & Andrew Dobson & C. Drew Harvell & Robert D. Holt & Peter Hudson & Anna Jolles & Kate E. Jones & Charles E. Mitchell & Samuel S. Myers & Tiffany Bogich, 2010. "Impacts of biodiversity on the emergence and transmission of infectious diseases," Nature, Nature, vol. 468(7324), pages 647-652, December.
    4. Y. Narayanan & Yamini Narayanan, 2016. "Where are the Animals in Sustainable Development? Religion and the Case for Ethical Stewardship in Animal Husbandry," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(3), pages 172-180, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michaela Hausdorf, 2024. "What You Get Is What You See—The Mutual Relationships between Images of Human Nature and Business Model Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-15, February.

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