Post-anthropocentrism in Literature & Theory

Etymology of Post-anthropocentrism

The term “post-anthropocentrism” traces its etymological roots to the Greek words “anthropos,” meaning human, and “kentron,” meaning center. Emerging within the discourse of environmental philosophy and ethics, post-anthropocentrism denotes a theoretical framework that challenges the traditional human-centered view of the world. The prefix “post” signals a departure from anthropocentric perspectives that prioritize human interests above all else. Instead, post-anthropocentrism advocates for an ecological worldview that acknowledges the intrinsic value of non-human entities, emphasizing a more inclusive and interconnected understanding of the environment. This term reflects a paradigm shift in philosophical and ethical considerations, fostering a reevaluation of human relationships with the broader ecological community.

Meanings of Post-anthropocentrism

Aspect	Meanings
Ecocentric Perspective	Challenges anthropocentrism by recognizing the intrinsic value of non-human entities in the environment.
Non-Human Consideration	Emphasizes considering the well-being of non-human beings, ecosystems, and the planet, contrasting with anthropocentrism.
Interconnected Ecology	Promotes a view of the world as an interconnected ecology, integrating human activities into a broader ecological community.
Ethical Expansion	Expands ethical considerations beyond human interests, fostering a comprehensive ethical framework for diverse life forms.
Deconstruction of Human-Centric Hierarchies	Involves dismantling hierarchical structures that privilege humans, challenging assumptions about human superiority.
Paradigm Shift	Signifies a philosophical and ethical shift beyond anthropocentrism, embracing a more holistic understanding of humanity’s place in the ecological context.
Environmental Justice	Aligns with environmental justice, advocating for the rights of nature and equitable, sustainable relationships between humans and the environment.
Recognition of Intrinsic Value	Involves acknowledging and respecting the intrinsic value of non-human entities, valuing them for their inherent worth.
Holistic Environmental Ethics	Contributes to the development of a holistic environmental ethics, addressing the complexities of ecological relationships.
Reevaluation of Human-Nature Relationships	Prompts a critical reevaluation of human relationships with nature, advocating for a shift from exploitation to cooperation within the ecological community.

Definition of Post-anthropocentrism as a Theoretical Term

Post-anthropocentrism, as a theoretical term, denotes a philosophical framework that challenges the traditional human-centered perspective, emphasizing a shift away from anthropocentric views. It signifies a reevaluation of the hierarchical positioning of humans as superior to other entities, advocating for an ecocentric perspective that recognizes the intrinsic value of non-human beings and ecosystems. In essence, post-anthropocentrism marks a paradigmatic evolution in ethical and philosophical considerations, fostering a holistic understanding of humanity’s interconnectedness within the broader ecological community.

Post-anthropocentrism: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

1. Donna Haraway:
   • Works: “The Cyborg Manifesto,” “Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene.”
   • Arguments: Haraway challenges anthropocentrism by exploring the cyborg as a metaphor for post-human existence, advocating for a more inclusive and non-hierarchical understanding of life forms.
2. Bruno Latour:
   • Works: “We Have Never Been Modern,” “Facing Gaia: Eight Lectures on the New Climatic Regime.”
   • Arguments: Latour argues for a shift from human-centered to Earth-centered perspectives, highlighting the entanglements between humans and non-humans and the need for a new ontological framework.
3. Timothy Morton:
   • Works: “Ecology without Nature,” “Dark Ecology: For a Logic of Future Coexistence.”
   • Arguments: Morton critiques the separation between humans and nature, proposing a more interconnected and ecological view that transcends anthropocentrism.
4. Isabelle Stengers:
   • Works: “Cosmopolitics I,” “In Catastrophic Times: Resisting the Coming Barbarism.”
   • Arguments: Stengers challenges dominant narratives and promotes a cosmopolitical approach, urging a reconsideration of human-nature relationships and cohabitation.

Works:

1. The Spell of the Sensuous by David Abram:
   • Arguments: Abram explores the sensual and reciprocal relationships between humans and the natural world, advocating for a more animistic and participatory worldview.
2. The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert:
   • Arguments: Kolbert examines the impact of human activities on biodiversity, compelling readers to confront the consequences of anthropocentrism and the urgent need for ecological awareness.
3. The More-than-Human World edited by David Abram and Sean Kelly:
   • Arguments: This collection of essays delves into diverse perspectives on post-anthropocentrism, offering insights into the intersections of philosophy, ecology, and ethics.

Key Arguments:

1. Rejection of Human Exceptionalism:
   • Post-anthropocentrism challenges the notion of human exceptionalism, asserting that humans are part of an interconnected web of life rather than superior entities.
2. Recognition of Non-Human Agency:
   • The framework acknowledges the agency and intrinsic value of non-human entities, emphasizing their active role in shaping ecosystems and co-creating the world.
3. Ecological Interconnectedness:
   • Advocates argue for an ecological interconnectedness that goes beyond human-centric perspectives, recognizing the complex relationships between humans and non-humans.
4. Ethical Implications:
   • Post-anthropocentrism has ethical implications, urging a reevaluation of human responsibilities towards the environment and promoting more sustainable and harmonious coexistence.

Post-anthropocentrism and Literary Theories

Theory	Relevance
Ecocriticism	Post-anthropocentrism aligns with the core principles of ecocriticism by challenging the anthropocentric view of nature. It encourages the exploration of literature that portrays the environment as an interconnected system, emphasizing the significance of non-human entities in literary narratives.
Posthumanism	Post-anthropocentrism is integral to posthumanism, emphasizing a shift from human-centric perspectives to more inclusive considerations of non-human agency. In literature, this perspective allows for the examination of hybrid identities, cyborgs, and the blurring of boundaries between humans and technology or animals.
Animal Studies	In the realm of animal studies, post-anthropocentrism contributes by acknowledging the subjectivity and agency of animals in literature. It prompts scholars to explore narratives that go beyond anthropocentric portrayals of animals and recognize them as complex beings with their own experiences and perspectives.
Deep Ecology	Post-anthropocentrism aligns closely with deep ecology, emphasizing the intrinsic value of all living beings and ecosystems. In literary analysis, it encourages a deep exploration of narratives that promote ecological ethics, interconnectedness, and a sense of kinship with the natural world.
Critical Animal Studies	Post-anthropocentrism intersects with critical animal studies by challenging traditional hierarchies that place humans above other species. In literature, this perspective prompts the examination of texts that question and critique the exploitation of animals, advocating for ethical treatment and coexistence.
Environmental Justice	Within the framework of environmental justice, post-anthropocentrism highlights the interconnected struggles of both human and non-human communities. In literature, this perspective encourages the exploration of narratives that address environmental inequalities and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable relationship with the environment.
Bioregionalism	Post-anthropocentrism complements bioregionalism by emphasizing the importance of specific ecosystems and their non-human inhabitants. In literary analysis, it encourages the examination of texts that reflect a deep sense of place, ecological awareness, and the integration of human and non-human narratives within a particular bioregion.

Post-anthropocentrism in Literary Criticism

1. “The Bear’s Domain” by Alice Munro: In Munro’s story, the narrative subtly challenges human-centric perspectives by intertwining the lives of human characters with the natural world. The forest, portrayed as a character in itself, becomes an integral part of the story. Munro’s narrative style prompts readers to consider the agency and interconnectedness of non-human entities, blurring the boundaries between the human and more-than-human worlds.
2. “Flight” by Sherman Alexie: Alexie’s “Flight” explores the intersection of human and animal experiences, particularly through the protagonist’s connection with birds. The story delves into the complexities of human-animal relationships, portraying animals not merely as symbolic, but as active participants in the narrative. Through this, Alexie challenges anthropocentric notions and encourages readers to acknowledge the subjectivity and agency of non-human beings.
3. The White Bone by Barbara Gowdy: Gowdy’s novel takes a unique approach by narrating the story from the perspective of elephants. By adopting a non-human point of view, the narrative challenges anthropocentrism, inviting readers to empathize with the experiences of animals. The elephants’ voices become a powerful tool for critiquing human-centric attitudes and behaviors, fostering a deeper understanding of the non-human world.
4. “The Fish” by Elizabeth Bishop: Bishop’s poem “The Fish” engages with post-anthropocentric themes by portraying the fish as a sentient being rather than a mere catch. The detailed description of the fish’s physicality and the narrator’s evolving perception during the encounter contribute to a nuanced exploration of the non-human. Bishop prompts readers to question their assumptions about the value and agency of creatures in the natural world.

Post-anthropocentrism: Related Terms

Term	Definition
Post-anthropocentrism	A perspective that moves beyond a human-centered view of the world.
Ecocentrism	A philosophy that places ecological concerns at the center.
Biocentrism	A viewpoint that values all living entities equally.
Deep Ecology	An environmental philosophy emphasizing the intrinsic value of nature.
Anthropocene	The geological epoch characterized by human impact on the Earth.
Non-anthropocentric Ethics	Ethical theories that consider the interests of non-human entities.
Ecofeminism	The intersection of ecological and feminist thought.
Ecopoetics	Literary and artistic expressions focused on environmental themes.
Non-human Agency	The acknowledgment of non-human entities having intentional actions.
Holism	The idea that entities should be viewed as whole systems, not isolated parts.

Suggested Readings

1. Haraway, Donna J. When Species Meet. University of Minnesota Press, 2008.
2. Abram, David. Becoming Animal: An Earthly Cosmology. Vintage, 2011.
3. Barad, Karen. Meeting the Universe Halfway: Quantum Physics and the Entanglement of Matter and Meaning. Duke University Press, 2007.
4. Morton, Timothy. The Ecological Thought. Harvard University Press, 2010.
5. Plumwood, Val. Environmental Culture: The Ecological Crisis of Reason. Routledge, 2002.
6. Tsing, Anna Lowenhaupt. The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins. Princeton University Press, 2015.