Thinking Nature: An Essay in Negative Ecology

by Sean J McGrath

Moving between ancient and modern sources, philosophy and theology, and science and popular culture, Sean McGrath offers a genuinely new reflection on what it means to be human in an era of climate change, mass extinction and geoengineering. Engaging with contemporary thinkers in eco-criticism, including Timothy Morton, Bruno Latour and Slavoj Žižek, McGrath argues for a distinctive role for the human being in the the human being is nature come to full consciousness. McGrath’s compelling case for a new Anthropocenic humanism is founded on a reverence for nature, a humanism that is not at the expense of nature, and a naturalism that is not at the expense of the human.

192 pages, Hardcover

Published February 28, 2019

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! McGrath seeks to move beyond both Deep and Dark Ecology by arguing that the Anthropocene has changed the concept of “nature.” One implication is that we can/should revere nature without re-enchanting it. I especially like McGrath’s emphasis on the need for contemplative ecology, giving lie to the idea that contemplation and action are opposites.

[Yanick Punter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had its moments. Some interesting stuff.

[Slow Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

lack of engagement w Marx can be forgiven bc of how amazing chapters 4-5-6-7-8 are

McGrath gives a compelling vision of "a humanism that is not at the expense of nature, and a naturalism that is not at the expense of the human"