Dr. Arthur R. Obst
@arthurobst.bsky.social
Writer, climate change scholar, and environmental philosopher. Postdoc @ UChicago. Book review editor for Environmental Ethics and co-organizer of Philosophy in the Wild. Coauthor of Dialogues on Climate Justice (2023). He/him.
arthurrobst.com
arthurrobst.com
Pinned
Client Challenge
rdcu.be
I welcome the new year with a new publication in the journal Climatic Change!
I ask: What would Aldo Leopold think about Geoengineering? In reply, I contend that from his vantage both success and failure in geoengineering should deeply trouble us.
Check it out open access here: rdcu.be/eYFAC
I ask: What would Aldo Leopold think about Geoengineering? In reply, I contend that from his vantage both success and failure in geoengineering should deeply trouble us.
Check it out open access here: rdcu.be/eYFAC
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.
Auschwitz took time.
Another publication! Steve Gardiner and I wrote a paper defending his 2018 “Tollgate Principles” (proposed with Augustin Fragnière).
In our latest piece, “Beware the Toll Dodgers,” we clarify the point of governance principles and respond to some objections.
Check it out: doi.org/10.1007/s105...
In our latest piece, “Beware the Toll Dodgers,” we clarify the point of governance principles and respond to some objections.
Check it out: doi.org/10.1007/s105...
Beware the Toll Dodgers: defending the Tollgate Principles for governing solar geoengineering - Climatic Change
Climatic Change - The Tollgate Principles (‘TGPs’) aim to represent ‘the price that must be paid’ by anyone claiming to be ethically serious about pursuing solar...
doi.org
January 23, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Another publication! Steve Gardiner and I wrote a paper defending his 2018 “Tollgate Principles” (proposed with Augustin Fragnière).
In our latest piece, “Beware the Toll Dodgers,” we clarify the point of governance principles and respond to some objections.
Check it out: doi.org/10.1007/s105...
In our latest piece, “Beware the Toll Dodgers,” we clarify the point of governance principles and respond to some objections.
Check it out: doi.org/10.1007/s105...
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Last term I tried an experiment: I walked into my Tech and Design Ethics class, admitted that I had *no idea* what to do about ChatGPT - so I would let them figure it out.
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
January 22, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Last term I tried an experiment: I walked into my Tech and Design Ethics class, admitted that I had *no idea* what to do about ChatGPT - so I would let them figure it out.
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
As in: their first project was to decide and write the ChatGPT policy for the class.
Here's what happened:
I had the pleasure of reviewing Roy Scranton's Impasse for Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews. Within, I discuss the concept of civilizational impasse, the possibility of a politics without progress, and the alleged virtues of pessimism.
Check it out here: ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/impa...
Check it out here: ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/impa...
Impasse: Climate Change and the Limits of Progress
In the decade since publishing Learning to Die in the Anthropocene, witnessing the steady march of rising global carbon emissions only disrupted te...
ndpr.nd.edu
January 16, 2026 at 11:02 AM
I had the pleasure of reviewing Roy Scranton's Impasse for Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews. Within, I discuss the concept of civilizational impasse, the possibility of a politics without progress, and the alleged virtues of pessimism.
Check it out here: ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/impa...
Check it out here: ndpr.nd.edu/reviews/impa...
I welcome the new year with a new publication in the journal Climatic Change!
I ask: What would Aldo Leopold think about Geoengineering? In reply, I contend that from his vantage both success and failure in geoengineering should deeply trouble us.
Check it out open access here: rdcu.be/eYFAC
I ask: What would Aldo Leopold think about Geoengineering? In reply, I contend that from his vantage both success and failure in geoengineering should deeply trouble us.
Check it out open access here: rdcu.be/eYFAC
Client Challenge
rdcu.be
January 12, 2026 at 11:12 AM
I welcome the new year with a new publication in the journal Climatic Change!
I ask: What would Aldo Leopold think about Geoengineering? In reply, I contend that from his vantage both success and failure in geoengineering should deeply trouble us.
Check it out open access here: rdcu.be/eYFAC
I ask: What would Aldo Leopold think about Geoengineering? In reply, I contend that from his vantage both success and failure in geoengineering should deeply trouble us.
Check it out open access here: rdcu.be/eYFAC
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
So it’s Biden’s fault that Trump is a fascist? Is it also Biden’s fault that the NYT is becoming a Trump propaganda tool too? Because to me it looks like a choice.
December 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
So it’s Biden’s fault that Trump is a fascist? Is it also Biden’s fault that the NYT is becoming a Trump propaganda tool too? Because to me it looks like a choice.
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
this headline hums with ancient autumnal dread
October 23, 2025 at 12:41 PM
this headline hums with ancient autumnal dread
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Sci-fi has consistently portrayed this being done by angry Asian states but the reality is American corporations helmed by Israeli government scientists are going to be the ones to do this without any oversight or standards
Also see: janky tech bros spectrum.ieee.org/solar-geoeng...
Also see: janky tech bros spectrum.ieee.org/solar-geoeng...
October 24, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Sci-fi has consistently portrayed this being done by angry Asian states but the reality is American corporations helmed by Israeli government scientists are going to be the ones to do this without any oversight or standards
Also see: janky tech bros spectrum.ieee.org/solar-geoeng...
Also see: janky tech bros spectrum.ieee.org/solar-geoeng...
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Chicago - no kings
October 18, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Chicago - no kings
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
October 5, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
I’m a published academic now. #rewilding #rewild #culturalrewilding #humanrewilding #huntergathererresearch #rewildportland #anthropology
September 25, 2025 at 9:42 PM
I’m a published academic now. #rewilding #rewild #culturalrewilding #humanrewilding #huntergathererresearch #rewildportland #anthropology
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Dutch late night TV has its take
September 19, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Dutch late night TV has its take
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
whatever historians say about these years of lead they can't say we didn't have a laugh or two
August 12, 2025 at 5:55 PM
whatever historians say about these years of lead they can't say we didn't have a laugh or two
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Motherfucking wind farms…
July 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Motherfucking wind farms…
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
"Advisory opinions are technically non-binding but are considered authoritative because they summarise existing law...They are expected to be used in future litigation and to bolster political negotiations."
After a long campaign spearheaded by Pacific Islanders
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
After a long campaign spearheaded by Pacific Islanders
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Healthy environment a human right, UN court says in landmark climate ruling
Court’s decision expected to be used in future litigation and to support political negotiations by vulnerable states
www.theguardian.com
July 23, 2025 at 5:39 PM
"Advisory opinions are technically non-binding but are considered authoritative because they summarise existing law...They are expected to be used in future litigation and to bolster political negotiations."
After a long campaign spearheaded by Pacific Islanders
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
After a long campaign spearheaded by Pacific Islanders
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
BREAKING: The Wisconsin Supreme Court's liberal majority strikes down the state’s 176-year-old abortion ban.
Wisconsin Supreme Court’s liberal majority strikes down 176-year-old abortion ban
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has struck down the state’s 176-year-old abortion ban. The court’s liberal majority ruled 4-3 on Wednesday that the ban is no longer valid because newer abortion restrictions superseded it.
bit.ly
July 2, 2025 at 1:26 PM
BREAKING: The Wisconsin Supreme Court's liberal majority strikes down the state’s 176-year-old abortion ban.
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Kids this age have a remarkable sense of wonder, which they sadly lose... For instance, he said after his birthday party “Today was the best day ever. I hope I will remember it. I don't remember my previous birthday”...
Helen De Cruz (1978-2025)
www.whatisitliketobeaphilosopher.com/helen-de-cruz
Helen De Cruz (1978-2025)
www.whatisitliketobeaphilosopher.com/helen-de-cruz
June 21, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Kids this age have a remarkable sense of wonder, which they sadly lose... For instance, he said after his birthday party “Today was the best day ever. I hope I will remember it. I don't remember my previous birthday”...
Helen De Cruz (1978-2025)
www.whatisitliketobeaphilosopher.com/helen-de-cruz
Helen De Cruz (1978-2025)
www.whatisitliketobeaphilosopher.com/helen-de-cruz
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Can't be overstated how fucked up it is that Black folk came up with a word to express people being aware of the oppression of other people and it's now targeted by far right governments globally as something evil that must be destroyed
May 7, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Can't be overstated how fucked up it is that Black folk came up with a word to express people being aware of the oppression of other people and it's now targeted by far right governments globally as something evil that must be destroyed
*Cop stun guns a protestor*
MTG: “This is a peaceful town hall.” [simultaneously]
Dystopian.
MTG: “This is a peaceful town hall.” [simultaneously]
Dystopian.
A town hall for Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia on Tuesday quickly deteriorated into chaos, as police officers forcibly removed several protesters and subdued two of them with stun guns.
Read more: nyti.ms/42MLMZV
Read more: nyti.ms/42MLMZV
April 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
*Cop stun guns a protestor*
MTG: “This is a peaceful town hall.” [simultaneously]
Dystopian.
MTG: “This is a peaceful town hall.” [simultaneously]
Dystopian.
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
"I had not touched a cat in 15 yrs when an orange kitten wandered over to sit w/me in the grass one day. I was left without adequate words to describe that experience. It reminded me that I am alive. It instilled in me a raw, unbridled happiness that I had never felt before, not even as a child."
When Kittens Came to My Prison, I Had Not Petted One in 15 Years
I had not touched a cat in 15 years when an orange kitten wandered over to sit with me in the grass.
prisonjournalismproject.org
March 24, 2025 at 2:13 AM
"I had not touched a cat in 15 yrs when an orange kitten wandered over to sit w/me in the grass one day. I was left without adequate words to describe that experience. It reminded me that I am alive. It instilled in me a raw, unbridled happiness that I had never felt before, not even as a child."
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
An emotional day - I can announce I'll be the first director of The Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience at the LSE, supported by a £4m grant from the Jeremy Coller Foundation. Our mission: to develop better policies, laws and ways of caring for animals. (1/2)
www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-...
www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-...
LSE announces new centre to study animal sentience
The Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience at LSE will develop new approaches to studying the feelings of other animals scientifically.
www.lse.ac.uk
March 25, 2025 at 10:42 AM
An emotional day - I can announce I'll be the first director of The Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience at the LSE, supported by a £4m grant from the Jeremy Coller Foundation. Our mission: to develop better policies, laws and ways of caring for animals. (1/2)
www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-...
www.lse.ac.uk/News/Latest-...
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Do not let the world look away. Keep fighting, keep telling our stories—until Palestine is free."
- For the last time, Hossam Shabat, from northern Gaza.
23 and he knew to leave a death note.
- For the last time, Hossam Shabat, from northern Gaza.
23 and he knew to leave a death note.
March 24, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Do not let the world look away. Keep fighting, keep telling our stories—until Palestine is free."
- For the last time, Hossam Shabat, from northern Gaza.
23 and he knew to leave a death note.
- For the last time, Hossam Shabat, from northern Gaza.
23 and he knew to leave a death note.
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy on Mahmoud Khalil.
March 11, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy on Mahmoud Khalil.
Reposted by Dr. Arthur R. Obst
not by any stretch the first person to say this but: it is darkly funny how nakedly imperialist Trump turned out to be given the lengths to which some professional opinion havers went to take his "isolationism" intellectually seriously
March 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
not by any stretch the first person to say this but: it is darkly funny how nakedly imperialist Trump turned out to be given the lengths to which some professional opinion havers went to take his "isolationism" intellectually seriously