Prior Humanities
Hallmark of a species
Most people attuned to the Anthropocene are focused on “the issues,” from climate change to biodiversity loss to impacts on humans including economic growth, distributive justice, and the possibility of technological fixes.
All this is well taken.
However.
Entering a fundamentally new era does not excuse from taking stock of the pre-Anthropocene.
Included are thought — political, philosophical, theological, scientific — and human materiality — economics, ecology, vastly brilliant and cruel cultures.
Crafting an anthropology, or many anthropologies, for the Anthropocene is a daunting task.
Critical we should be of historical versions, for obvious reasons!
Many other anthropologies, less obvious — hidden — are as worthy of attention.
There’s no ignoring prior humanities, whether rejected for cause or abiding undercover still carrying hidden power.
Human present and future bear the past along.
This is the hallmark of our species.
It now defines a planetary age.
well said and so true