After the Anthropocene by Anne Fremaux

Author:Anne Fremaux
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030111205
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Conclusion

This chapter has sought to make a case for a post-anthropocentric ethical and legal framework, which encompasses both the defense of humans’ enlightened interests and nature’s intrinsic value. It has highlighted the relevance of non-anthropocentric worldviews showing that, in the Capitalocene context, a radical and scientifically based interconnected conception of life, with its ethical, political, and legal consequences, might better be able to challenge the anthropocentric planetary stewardship offered by Anthropocene boosters and neo-greens, than traditional green anthropocentric positions. It has also aimed at showing that the defense of the intrinsic value of nature has already some grounding in existing legal systems which might serve as an example for further developments in jurisprudence (a work currently being done by the ‘wild law’ advocates). As indicated above, the theoretical legitimacy of the enlightened anthropocentric position was not questioned. It is rather the concrete (lack of) results of the emphasis put on human interests in a time particularly marked by individualism, greed, and selfishness that has been challenged. Indeed, being anthropocentrist means to remain within the framework which has created the crisis. However, and because of the provisional absence of an ‘ecological culture,’ ecocentrism will not manage alone to save the earth: As Curry (2011) says, ‘a strategic appeal to anthropocentric value (human self-interest) may be an unavoidable part of the argument for an ecocentric outcome’ (p. 59). This is why this chapter has shown the necessity to bring together enlightened anthropocentric and humanist non-anthropocentric views to oppose the capitalist instrumentalist conception of nature and the new ecocidal assault planned by Anthropocene cheerleaders. As Sylvan and Bennett (1994) say, the emergency now is ‘to set anthropocentric concerns within ecocentric concerns’ (quoted in Curry, 2011: 60). As show the history of environmental law and governance and the failure of liberal governmental systems to successfully address the environmental crisis within the existing growth-based institutional framework, this work takes the claim that capitalism cannot be internally reformed in an ecological direction and needs to be overcome by alternative post-growth, post-liberal, and post-capitalist forms of organization. The move toward these new institutions, respectful of nature and humans, is a necessary step toward an ‘ecological civilisation.’ The economic components of this transition will be analyzed in the next chapter. The institutional and political elements will be examined in Chapter 6.

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