Contemplating Western Wisdom in the Anthropocene Crisis

Abstract

It is obvious that we are heading towards an irreversible destruction in the Anthropocene age, which indicates the transformative power of human over nature. In this age, in which human is a geological actor, it has become a necessity to discuss the human-centered domination practices established on nature. The purpose of this article is to critically approach and problematize the ways of thinking underlying the current crisis. For this purpose, in our study, Ancient Greek and Modern-Cartesian thought, which are two important moments of Western Philosophy tradition, will be examined. Thus, nature, matter and other conceptualizations of Western metaphysics will be discussed. This critical approach aims at the construction of a new ontology, the development of an ethics that will include the earth. Thus, instead of defining human as a privileged host, it seeks the possibilities of a new understanding that will characterize it as a ring in the interspecies solidarity.