Environmental Humanities in the Anthropocene: A New Paradigm

Abstract

How does rethinking the environment inspire us to rethink being human? How can we transform our relations with other species and the planet? We ask these questions in more than one way in the age of the Anthropocene. For the last two and a half centuries, humanity has been relying on a singular scientific body of knowledge in understanding nature and in devising measures required to address environmental challenges. Did scientific knowledge on the environment serve us well? Science views the environment through utilitarian aspects largely dictated by a human-centered (anthropocentric) approach. In contrast, humanities views nature from humanistic aspects upholding biocentrism guided by the values and ethics. Notwithstanding their differences, science and humanities have equal strength and prowess to deal with the environment. Environmental Humanities brings a new and holistic understanding of nature by integrating science and humanities. This is critical to environmental problem-solving in the age of Anthropocene. This article attempts to unravel fundamental differences between science and humanities in terms of understanding nature and the way they approach environmental issues. Thereafter, this article argues how the harmonization of these two disciplines as “Environmental Humanities” can produce a new form of environmental knowledge required to address contemporary environmental challenges and issues.