A new climate for human nature? Navigating social theory through postnature, the anthropocene and posthumanism
By examining debates on the Anthropocene era ignited by new materialist and posthumanist scholarship, this paper aims to discern how these perspectives can reframe the human-nature nexus. It also considers how various “developmentalist” approaches might assume the role traditionally held by...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | deu |
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Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory, Belgrade
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Filozofija i Društvo |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0353-5738/2024/0353-57382401053J.pdf |
| Summary: | By examining debates on the Anthropocene era ignited by new materialist and
posthumanist scholarship, this paper aims to discern how these perspectives
can reframe the human-nature nexus. It also considers how various
“developmentalist” approaches might assume the role traditionally held by
the concept of human nature. The first section highlights concerns raised by
posthumanist and neomaterialist scholars about the marginalized status of
“nature”, life, and biology within dominant constructivist viewpoints. A
central argument posits that notions like “denaturalization” and biopolitics
amplify societal dominance over nature, pushing social theory towards an
anthropocentric and potentially biologically indeterminate stance.
Contrasting this, the second section delves into modern interpretations of
the planet in social theory, inspired by the emergence of the Anthropocene.
This lens reveals a dynamic, co-constitutive relationship, tilting less
towards the unilateral commands of “nature” and more towards understanding
the evolution of human life and societal structures within Earth’s expansive
temporal and spatial realms. The third section further unpacks these
developmental ideas by juxtaposing the theories of Bruno Latour and Tim
Ingold. The paper contends that both approaches endeavor to illuminate the
complex processes underpinning the evolution of life forms, underscoring the
significance of culture. In conclusion, the intricate postnatural landscape
of the Anthropocene necessitates a more integrated human-nature
relationship. This calls for not only discarding dehumanizing facets of
human nature, but also fostering a renewed sensibility - a deeper form of
humanizing that acknowledges and celebrates our shared existence with other
species and entities. |
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| ISSN: | 0353-5738 2334-8577 |