To grow or not to grow: the dilemma of sustainability

Politecnico di Torino, Department of Applied Science and Technology Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy

^* Corresponding author: angelo.tartaglia@polito.it

Abstract

The premises and conclusions of the Science and the Future conference held in 2013 are the basis for this paper. I shall describe the changes occurred in the world since 2013 to present both on the positive and on the negative side, together with the failures to change, that will be discussed during the present conference. I shall especially point out the failure to address the contradiction between material growth and sustainability. The limit posed by the growing complexity of the global economy will be demonstrated, showing its implications for theungovernability of the system. I will stress the difficulty and urgency of a fully rational analysis and the discussion of some strongholds of the present social paradigm, which are intrinsically entangled with human and material unsustainability.