The Anthropocene presents us with the problem of all problems for the following reasons:
- It was a colossal accident.
- It is a consequence of the everyday life choices of over seven billion people.
- These choices are strongly driven by an amalgamation of psychological and institutional forces with deep historical and even biological roots.
- The everyday actions of a few of us are far greater drivers than those of most us, but our lower-impact members are quickly adopting the habits of the affluent.
Taken alone, each of these factors presents a conundrum; taken together, they cry out for deep inquiry into the peculiar place of the “anthros” in the scheme of things. The dawning of the Anthropocene compels us to ask ourselves not only, “What on Earth are we doing?” but even more fundamentally, “What on Earth are we?” At a minimum, the new geological era highlights our species’ paradoxical relationship to the rest of creation. While these questions can be illuminated by the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, so too can we investigate them through personal and interpersonal introspection around the question, “Who am I in relation to this?” The very magnitude of the problem and its undeniable biophysical dimensions tend to transfix our gaze outwardly, yet grappling with the “anthros” also entails looking within.
The premise of this course is that cognition will be necessary but not sufficient to address the global challenges of the 21st century. Rather than studying such issues as climate change, the extinction crisis, world food challenges, and global justice as happening only “out there,” we view them as also happening “in here” by continually asking ourselves, “Who am in relation to this?” This holistic approach involves integrating cognitive learning with affective and somatic awareness through contemplative practices and journaling.
In our exploration of “human beingness” in the Anthropocene, we are engaged in deep introspection and sharing. Yet our study of “person/planet politics” would be incomplete if we did not bring it into the wider collective—hence small-group action projects. The final requirement for this course is a creative project addressing the question, “Who am I in the Anthropocene?”
Our course blog serves to document our collective learning adventure. We hope to make a small contribution to the vital conversation about the nexus of ‘human beingness’ and planetary politics in the Anthropocene.
Professor Karen Litfin