Our Relation with the Companion Species We Share the Earth With

Abstract

This article aims to examine human-animal relationships by questioning the effects of anthropocentric approaches on nature and other living beings. The article addresses the symbolic and ethical dimensions of human attitudes toward animals, emphasizing the blurring of boundaries between nature and culture through the prevalent and often implicit "charismatic" and "uncanny" species approach in public opinion and conservation communication strategies. In doing so, it draws on concepts such as time-space compression, power geometry, natureculture, and decentralization. In the contentious "Anthropocene" era, the intertwinement of nature and culture is explored in how it resonates within ecological and social networks. It discusses how the accelerated pace of modernity and globalization has shrunk animal habitats and impacted the natural distribution of species. Additionally, the commodification of animals and the role of global trade in this process are discussed. The study advocates for a more holistic and inclusive perspective on nature-culture interactions by recognizing the ecological and ethical roles of animals. In conclusion, it emphasizes the inseparability of all species and the ethical and ecological responsibility of coexisting, transcending centered thinking.