What is the Right Ontology for the Anthropocene? - Political Metaphors
Verónica Mota Galindo
This research aims to address the question of what ontology is most appropriate for understanding and engaging with the Anthropocene. The relevance of this question lies in its implications for how humanity perceives its role and responsibilities in an era where its actions are altering human and non-human life. An appropriate ontology could foster more effective environmental policies, ethical considerations, and societal practices that align with the complex realities of the Anthropocene. The research design is rooted in a critical analysis of existing ontological frameworks, including deep ecology, feminist materialism, and object-oriented ecology, to assess their adequacy in addressing the unique challenges of the Anthropocene. The methodology involves a comparative analysis of these frameworks through the lens of interdisciplinary brought by students coming from different disciplines such as philosophy, history and literature. The research is expected to reveal that traditional ontologies, which often dichotomize nature and culture or prioritize human exceptionalism, are insufficient for the Anthropocene. Instead, it is anticipated that a relational ontology, which emphasizes interconnectedness and mutual constitution between humans and the non-human world, will emerge as more appropriate. Such a framework could reshape how society approaches environmental governance, ethics, and sustainability practices. The final product is a text written in English focused on feminist materialism and philosophical discourses as political metaphors for human and non-human survival. This manuscript will evolve into a radio podcast accessible online to anyone with internet access. Key follow-up questions include: How can a relational ontology be operationalized in policy-making and public discourse? What are the practical challenges in shifting from traditional ontological perspectives to a relational one? In addition, there is a need to explore how different cultural and philosophical traditions might contribute to or challenge the proposed ontology, thereby enriching the global dialogue on living in the Anthropocene.