Photo : © FMSH
Plastics, revealers of the ethical crisis in our relationship with the living world
Plastic has woven itself into every corner of our existence, forcing us to fundamentally rethink how we interact with the natural world around us. Join a thought-provoking conversation between a leading philosopher and an environmental legal expert as they tackle the ethical crisis hidden in our consumption. It is the perfect opportunity to engage with new ideas on how to repair our broken bond with the living.
Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme (Paris 6th)
About
The Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme hosts an insightful discussion on how plastics reveal deep ethical crises regarding our relationship with the living world. On Tuesday, December 15, 2026, from 18:00 to 20:30, philosopher Jean-Philippe Pierron and environmental lawyer Marine Calmet explore the necessity of rethinking our societal values. Moderated by Henri Bourgeois Costa of the Tara Océan Foundation, this event examines the environmental impact of plastic dependence. Participation is free of charge, and the venue is fully accessible to wheelchair users, ensuring that everyone can join this collective reflection on our future.
Could fighting the plastic crisis mean rethinking our societal structure? Plastics have become so prevalent in our society today that questioning their place seems to question many of our values, and even our current relationship with the world and living beings.
During this session, Jean-Philippe Pierron, a philosopher, and Marine Calmet, a legal expert, will discuss what plastics reveal about our relationship with the living world. Can the fight against the plastic crisis be envisioned without rebuilding our system of values and building a new law for the living? The discussions will be moderated by Henri Bourgeois Costa, Director of Public Affairs at the Tara Ocean Foundation.
At the end of the discussion, you will have the opportunity to ask our guests any questions you may have.
About the speakers
Marine Calmet is an environmental lawyer. In 2019, she founded "Wild Legal," an association dedicated to gaining recognition for the rights of nature in France. She has published, among others, the books Devenir Gardiens de la Nature (Ed. Tana 2021, European Institute of Ecology Book Prize), Décoloniser le droit (Ed. Wild project, 2024), and Justice pour l’étoile de mer (Ed. Actes sud, 2025).
Jean-Philippe Pierron is a university professor in the philosophy of life, medicine, and care at the Department of Philosophy at the University of Burgundy. He is also the Director of the Care Values Chair at the Jean-Moulin University in Lyon 3, France. Responsible for the Master's in Medical and Environmental Humanities in Dijon, he has notably published Prendre soin de la nature et des Humains, Belles Lettres, 2016; Philosophie du soin. Esthétique, éthique et politique, Hermann, 2021; Je est un nous. Enquêtes sur nos interdépendances avec les vivants, Actes Sud, 2021; Méditer comme une Montagne. Exercices spirituels d'attention à la terre et à ceux qui la peuplent, Éditions de l'atelier, 2023, and Pour une insurrection des sens? Chanter, danser et jouer pour prendre soin du monde, Actes Sud, 2023.
Henri Bourgeois Costa is a specialist in ecosystem geography. After a career in NGOs starting in 1997, he developed expertise in water, biodiversity, and industrial environment (eco-design, plastics industry, recovery). Since 2019, he has been working at the Tara Ocean Foundation, where he develops advocacy for the circular economy, particularly regarding plastics and toxics, and brings these issues to the international level within the framework of UN negotiations.
About the cycle "Plastics: a systemic poison"
Organized in partnership with the Tara Ocean Foundation, the "Plastics: a systemic poison" cycle explores a pollution that has become global. Since the 1970s, scientific research has revealed the extent of the problem: from oceans to mountains, invisible microplastics are penetrating our organisms and disrupting ecosystems. The humanities and social sciences complete this picture by analyzing the economic and social mechanisms of our dependence on plastics.
As the seventh cycle of negotiations for an international treaty opens this year, these meetings bring together researchers and civil society to cross-reference knowledge and inform public decisions. The goal: to collectively rethink our relationship with plastics and the environment.
Our take on this event
Part of the 'Plastics: A Systemic Poison' series, this event investigates the global pollution crisis and our reliance on synthetic materials. Jean-Philippe Pierron, a philosopher specializing in environmental ethics, joins legal expert Marine Calmet to discuss how the invisibilization of non-human life has facilitated this crisis. Together, they will explore how law and philosophy can offer new perspectives for a post-plastic society, aiming to reshape our connection to the environment.
Henri Bourgeois Costa, Director of Public Affairs at the Tara Océan Foundation, will moderate the session. The conversation will focus on the scientific, economic, and social dimensions of plastic pollution, particularly relevant as international treaty negotiations progress. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers during a Q&A session at the end of the evening. The event takes place on Tuesday, December 15, 2026, from 18:00 to 20:30 at the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme, 54 boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris. The premises are accessible to wheelchair users.
