Introduction: Object-Oriented Ontology
Object-Oriented Ontology (OOO) in literature introduces a philosophical framework that challenges traditional anthropocentric perspectives by emphasizing the agency and vitality of non-human entities. Within the realm of literary analysis, OOO posits that objects, whether living or inanimate, possess intrinsic value and contribute meaningfully to the narrative. Departing from human-centered interpretations, OOO invites scholars to explore the dynamic interactions between objects, questioning established notions of subjectivity and objectivity.
In literature, this paradigm shift prompts a reevaluation of the roles played by characters, settings, and even inanimate elements, fostering a richer understanding of the interconnectedness and vitality inherent in all entities within a narrative landscape.
Object-Oriented Ontology: What does it mean?
| Aspect | Meaning |
| Challenging Anthropocentrism | Object-Oriented Ontology challenges the anthropocentric view by asserting that entities beyond human subjects have intrinsic value and agency. |
| Agency of Non-Human Entities | Both living and inanimate objects have agency in Object-Oriented Ontology, influencing and contributing meaningfully to the world beyond human perception. |
| Interconnectedness of Objects | Emphasis is placed on the interconnectedness of objects, highlighting dynamic relationships and interactions in a broader network. |
| Reevaluation of Subjectivity/Objectivity | The framework prompts a reevaluation of traditional distinctions between subject and object, encouraging a nuanced understanding of the roles played by various entities. |
| Narrative Dynamics | In literature, scholars explore the narrative dynamics of characters, settings, and objects, recognizing their vitality and contribution to the overall meaning of a work. |
| Shift in Interpretative Focus | Object-Oriented Ontology calls for a shift in interpretative focus, urging scholars to move beyond human-centered perspectives and consider the significance of non-human entities. |
| Critique of Human-Centric Notions | It serves as a critique of human-centric notions, challenging the dominance of human subjectivity in philosophy and literature, fostering a more inclusive approach to ontology. |
Object-Oriented Ontology: Theorists, Works and Arguments
1. Graham Harman:
- Key Works: Tool-Being: Heidegger and the Metaphysics of Objects, Guerrilla Metaphysics: Phenomenology and the Carpentry of Things, Object-Oriented Ontology: A New Theory of Everything.
- Arguments: Harman argues for the independence and irreducibility of objects, suggesting that they withdraw from direct access or comprehension. He introduces the concept of “withdrawal” to describe how objects always retain a hidden aspect.
2. Bruno Latour:
- Key Works: We Have Never Been Modern, An Inquiry into Modes of Existence.
- Arguments: Latour’s actor-network theory aligns with Object-Oriented Ontology by emphasizing the agency of non-human entities. He challenges the distinction between nature and society and advocates for a more symmetrical approach to understanding the relationships between humans and non-humans.
3. Ian Bogost:
- Key Works: Alien Phenomenology, or What It’s Like to Be a Thing, Object-Oriented Ontology: A New Theory of Everything (co-authored with Graham Harman).
- Arguments: Bogost introduces the concept of “alien phenomenology,” encouraging a perspective that tries to understand the experience of non-human entities on their own terms. He explores how objects have their own existence and ways of manifesting in the world.
4. Timothy Morton:
- Key Works: Ecology without Nature: Rethinking Environmental Aesthetics, Hyperobjects: Philosophy and Ecology after the End of the World.
- Arguments: Morton introduces the concept of “hyperobjects,” which are entities that are massively distributed in time and space. He applies Object-Oriented Ontology to environmental philosophy, emphasizing the interconnectedness and non-locality of ecological phenomena.
5. Levi Bryant:
- Key Works: The Democracy of Objects, Onto-Cartography: An Ontology of Machines and Media.
- Arguments: Bryant develops Object-Oriented Ontology by focusing on the ontology of objects and their interactions. He explores the idea that objects are autonomous, yet they enter into relations with other objects, forming networks.
Common Arguments and Themes in Object-Oriented Ontology:
- Withdrawal: Objects withdraw from direct access, and their full reality is never completely available to any observer.
- Non-Human Agency: Both living and non-living entities possess agency and contribute meaningfully to the world.
- Interconnectedness: Objects are not isolated entities but are interconnected, forming dynamic relationships and networks.
- Challenge to Anthropocentrism: Object-Oriented Ontology challenges the dominance of human subjectivity and encourages a more inclusive approach to ontology.
These theorists and their works have played a significant role in shaping Object-Oriented Ontology and expanding its application across various fields, including philosophy, literature, and environmental studies.
Principals of Object-Oriented Ontology
| Principal | Explanation |
| Object-Centric Perspective | – Emphasis on the inherent existence and autonomy of objects. – Objects as independent entities with their own realities. |
| Withdrawal and Immanence | – Objects are withdrawn from direct access, revealing only a limited aspect. – Immanence of objects, implying their concealed depths. |
| Non-Hierarchical Relationships | – Objects interact on equal footing, without a hierarchy. – Rejects privileging of human subjects or certain objects. |
| Speculative Realism | – OOO aligns with the speculative realist movement in philosophy. – Asserts the existence of a reality independent of human perception. |
| Flat Ontology | – Objects of all kinds share the same ontological status. – No inherent superiority of one type of object over another. |
| Aesthetic Implications | – OOO suggests new ways of approaching literature. – Fosters a focus on the materiality and significance of objects within narratives. |
| Inhuman and Post-Human Narratives | – OOO can lead to narratives that decenter human agency. – Exploration of the perspectives and agencies of non-human entities. |
| Ecological Concerns | – OOO can inform ecological and environmental literature. – Encourages consideration of the interconnectedness of all objects. |
| Object Agency and Narrative | – Objects can become active agents in literary works. – Challenge anthropocentrism in storytelling. |
| Multifaceted Interpretations | – Encourages diverse readings and interpretations of literary texts. – Acknowledges the richness of objects’ influences on narrative. |
| Hyperobjects and Time | – Hyperobjects, such as climate change, challenge temporal perspectives. – Explore the extended, non-human temporalities in literature. |
| Phenomenological Engagement | – OOO encourages the study of how objects manifest in human perception. – Examines the sensory and emotional experiences objects evoke. |
Examples of Object-Oriented Ontology
- Moby-Dick by Herman Melville:
- Critique: In Moby-Dick, the novel’s central object of fascination is the White Whale, Moby-Dick himself. A critique of OOO in this context would explore how the novel represents the autonomous existence and immanence of the whale. It could also delve into the idea that Captain Ahab’s obsession with the whale embodies a non-hierarchical relationship, as he becomes subordinate to the object of his desire.
- The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
- Critique: In Fitzgerald’s novel, the green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock serves as an object of desire and aspiration. An OOO critique might focus on how the green light embodies immanence and the notion that the object, in this case, an unattainable dream, can be withdrawn and concealed. It could also analyze how the characters’ relationships with this object reflect OOO’s principles of autonomy and non-hierarchical connections.
- Frankenstein by Mary Shelley:
- Critique: Frankenstein can be critiqued from an OOO perspective by examining the autonomy of the creature created by Victor Frankenstein. The novel raises questions about the independence of the creature and the consequences of creating a being with its own existence. It could also explore the ecological concerns of playing with life and the interconnectedness of all objects within the narrative.
- The Road by Cormac McCarthy:
- Critique: In this post-apocalyptic novel, objects become central to survival, such as the shopping cart that carries the characters’ possessions. An OOO critique might focus on the materiality of objects in this harsh world and the multifaceted interpretations that objects take on as they become essential for survival. It could also delve into the themes of object agency, as these items often dictate the characters’ actions and decisions.
Keywords in Object-Oriented Ontology
- Object-Centric: A focus on objects as the primary entities with inherent existence and autonomy in the world of literature.
- Withdrawal: The idea that objects are not fully accessible to human perception, as they conceal aspects of their reality.
- Immanence: The concept that objects possess concealed depths and internal properties that extend beyond what is immediately perceivable.
- Non-Hierarchical: Rejecting the hierarchy of objects, humans, or certain entities, promoting equal footing and interconnectedness among objects.
- Speculative Realism: A philosophical movement aligned with OOO, asserting the existence of a reality independent of human perception.
- Flat Ontology: The belief that objects of all types share the same ontological status, without inherent hierarchies.
- Aesthetic Implications: How OOO influences artistic and literary approaches, emphasizing the materiality and significance of objects within narratives.
- Inhuman Narratives: Stories that decenter human agency and explore the perspectives and agencies of non-human entities.
- Ecological Concerns: The application of OOO to ecological and environmental literature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all objects in ecosystems.
- Hyperobjects: Objects of vast scale or scope, such as climate change, challenging conventional temporal and spatial perspectives within literature.
Suggested Readings
Books:
- Bogost, Ian. Alien Phenomenology, or What It’s Like to Be a Thing. University of Minnesota Press, 2012.
- Bryant, Levi R. The Democracy of Objects. Open Humanities Press, 2011.
- Cohen, Jeffrey Jerome. Stone: An Ecology of the Inhuman. University of Minnesota Press, 2015.
- Harman, Graham. Object-Oriented Ontology: A New Theory of Everything. Pelican, 2018.
- Morton, Timothy. Realist Magic: Objects, Ontology, Causality. Open Humanities Press, 2013.
- Thacker, Eugene. In the Dust of This Planet: Horror of Philosophy, Vol. 1. Zero Books, 2011.
Edited Collections:
- Bryant, Levi R., Nick Srnicek, and Graham Harman, editors. The Speculative Turn: Continental Materialism and Realism. re.press, 2011.
- Bryant, Levi R., and Graham Harman, editors. The Object: An Encyclopedic Investigation. University of Minnesota Press, 2015.
Articles and Journals:
- Colebrook, Claire. “Deleuze, Whitehead, Bergson: An Immanence of Deleuze.” Parrhesia: A Journal of Critical Philosophy, no. 14, 2012, pp. 1-13.