Possibility of Rebuilding Environmental Ethics in the “Anthropocene”: Based on Latour's Interpretation of the Gaia Hypothesis

doi:10.15936/j.cnki.1008-3758.2022.02.002

Abstract

Abstract: From the perspective of Latour， the fundamental way to alleviate the environmental crisis is not to incorporate nature into thinking but to re-examine the meaning of Anthropos and nature and explore the rationality of the relationship between these two aspects. The concept of “Anthropocene” refers to breaking and readjusting the boundary between humans and nature. The traditional environmental ethics is based on the dichotomy between humans and nature， which is unable to show the symbiotic and circular relationship between Anthropos and nature， and thus becomes the root of environmental problems. Meanwhile， Gaia， in Latour's sense， which refers to the dialectical symbiosis between Anthropos and nature， explores the manner in which Anthropos takes the initiative based on the breaking of the binary model. In this case， Gaia not only promises multiple values but also starts from specific Anthropos to drive common actions. Overall， Latour's interpretation of the Gaia hypothesis provides new perspectives for understanding activities and combination patterns of different actants， and serves as new solutions to environmental problems in the new era.

Key words: Bruno Latour; Anthropocene; nature; Gaia; symbiotic cycle

CLC Number:

N031
B82-0

TANG Xinghua， HU Yilin. Possibility of Rebuilding Environmental Ethics in the “Anthropocene”: Based on Latour's Interpretation of the Gaia Hypothesis[J]. Journal of Northeastern University(Social Science), 2022, 24(2): 7-14.

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