Abstract

Sobriety has long been a personal ethical choice, as well as a theological imperative. The idea of sobriety hinges on individuals’ decisions to renounce the superficial (material goods and ostentation), to focus instead on the essential: developing a mind which is composed and at peace. There have also been political drives for sobriety, largely because of the interweaving of religion and political power. The dawn of the Anthropocene brings sobriety, and its political role, into a completely new light. A sober mindset tells us that we must keep our needs, desires and behaviours proportional to what the planet is able to cope with; in that sense, sobriety becomes a policy of turning one’s back on the ceaseless desire to accumulate possessions. This relates to all aspects of social activity (work, energy, leisure, transport, food and much more), globally. The anthropological fundaments of modern existence (individual freedom through material wellbeing) are called into question, with a view to establishing a proportionate relationship with the Earth system.