Formal Objects: On Beauty and Sustainability | Dr. Robert Hariman

Why do we often assume that fighting climate change requires a life of scarcity, asceticism, and sacrificing abundance, when nature itself is wildly generative and beautiful? Northwestern University's Owen L. Coon Professor of Argumentation and Debate, Dr. Robert Hariman, joins host PJ Wehry on Chasing Leviathan to discuss how we can rethink our approach to the existential crisis of the Anthropocene. Dr. Hariman explores the intersection of aesthetic knowledge and environmental survival in his book, Formal Objects: On Beauty and Sustainability. They examine how the mentality that got us into our current ecological mess isn't sufficient to get us out, and how embracing a new, ecological "formalism" might just be the key to designing a world we actually want to live in. In this conversation they explore: Why global warming is a symptom of a larger systemic crisis of modernity, and why we need a new conceptual vocabulary to survive it. The history of "formalism"—why it was cast aside by academia 50 years ago, and why reinvigorating the study of form is vital for building a just and sustainable society. How beauty and utility are not opposites, but actually converge to create fitness in both natural organisms and cultural artifacts. The importance of "aesthetic knowledge"—an embodied, relational way of knowing that complements modern science and prevents us from treating nature merely as a mute object tailored for exploitation. Why a truly sustainable society cannot be built on scarcity models or ugly, ascetic design, but must lean into nature's incredible abundance and joy. The dangers of monocultural regimes in design and architecture, and how true formal processes rely heavily on diversity and continuous generation. Practical ways to cultivate everyday mindfulness by paying attention to the forms and local ecology around us, including a look at Central Florida's water table crisis and the impracticality of suburban lawns. This is a conversation for anyone interested in environmentalism, architecture, philosophy, and the humanities who wants to understand how beauty and better design can help us navigate the climate crisis and build a thriving future. Make sure to check out Dr. Hariman's book: Formal Objects: On Beauty and Sustainability: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0226853780/ Check out our website at chasingleviathan.com Who thinks that they can subdue Leviathan? Strength resides in its neck; dismay goes before it. When it rises up, the mighty are terrified. Nothing on earth is its equal. It is without fear. It looks down on all who are haughty; it is king over all who are proud. These words inspired PJ Wehry to create Chasing Leviathan. Chasing Leviathan was born out of two ideals: that truth is worth pursuing but will never be subjugated, and the discipline of listening is one of the most important habits anyone can develop. Timestamps 0:00 Introducing Dr. Robert Hariman 1:26 Why Modernity is in Crisis and Systems are Breaking Down 5:04 What is Formalism and the Convergence of Beauty and Utility 14:22 Examples of Formal Objects in Nature and Culture 16:54 The Importance of Esthetic Knowledge and Embodied Cognition 28:32 Central Florida Water Crisis and the Problem with Suburban Lawns 31:42 Escaping the Myth of Ecology and Scarcity Models 35:37 Why Use the Term Anthropocene Over Late Stage Capitalism 44:18 Why a Truly Sustainable Society Cannot Be Ugly 46:11 Concluding Thoughts