If we lose the Earth, we lose our souls

by Bruno Latour, Catherine Porter (translator)

In this book Bruno Latour calls upon Christians to join the struggle to avert a climate catastrophe.  First and foremost, Christians need to overcome their lack of interest in “earthly things” and pay attention to the Earth at a time when it is being neglected. He also urges Christians to renew their understanding of their faith in the context of the new image of the world that has emerged from earth system science – that of a world in which the myriad of beings that inhabit the world are interdependent and living in close proximity on a slender, fragile membrane on the surface of the planet.

This new image of the world cannot fail to have an impact on the sciences, on politics, and on religion, just as, in earlier centuries, the cosmology of Copernicus and Galileo upset the old order. Latour sees the ecological crisis, and the cosmological mutation that it entails, as an opportunity to convey anew, to the largest possible audience, the tradition of Christianity as it has never been appreciated before, by bringing to bear the lessons of eschatology on the great crisis that looms before us all.

Genres: Philosophy, Religion

110 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2024

About the author

Bruno Latour, a philosopher and anthropologist, is the author of Reassembling the Social: An Introduction to Actor-Network Theory, Our Modern Cult of the Factish Gods, An Inquiry into Modes of Existence, and many other books. He curated the ZKM exhibits ICONOCLASH and Making Things Public and coedited the accompanying catalogs, both published by MIT Press.

Reviews

[Ryan Turnbull]

Interesting and provocative as always, Latour here strives to get the French academy, both scientific and theological, to recognize the immense gift that Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si’ has been. A key insight here is that Francis’ intervention is not about ecology or nature, but about creation, and that it is through the language of Christian theological loci like creation and eschatology that we can learn to hear the cry of the earth which is at once the cry of the poor. A short, brilliant read with just the right amount of heterodoxy thrown in.

[Cătă Papari]

Bruno Latour’s If We Lose the Earth, We Lose Our Souls presents a compelling perspective on the intersection of religion, climate change, and nature conservation. Rather than limiting his argument to a Catholic worldview—though he frequently references Laudato Si’—Latour expands the discussion to include Hindu and Asian philosophies, ultimately drawing on indigenous spirituality. His core message challenges the objectification of Earth, urging a shift toward seeing it as a living being, integral to our existence and moral responsibility.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its ability to reframe environmental responsibility as a religious and spiritual duty, highlighting how different traditions approach the relationship between humanity and nature. This broad, interfaith exploration enriches the discussion of climate action, offering new ways to engage with sustainability beyond policy and economics.

However, the book has its limitations. Many of the religious references lack sufficient explanation, making it challenging for readers unfamiliar with the theological background. Additionally, while Latour’s line of reasoning is thought-provoking, he could have further developed some historical and doctrinal aspects to strengthen his argument. The book’s format—structured as four conferences or speeches—also makes it less fluid as a read, feeling more like a lecture series than a cohesive narrative.

Despite these drawbacks, I think the book is an insightful contribution to the climate discourse, emphasizing the role of spirituality in environmental stewardship. It encourages readers to consider not just political and scientific responses to biodiversity loss but also the moral imperatives rooted in religious traditions and maybe the role and responsibility of religion as an institution in tackling climate change. While not the easiest read, it is a valuable one for those interested in the intersection of faith, philosophy, and ecological responsibility.