THE ‘INVENTION’ OF ANTHROPOCENTRISM: A DECOLONIAL APPROACH

Abstract

We propose, here, a decolonial approach to anthropocentrism, in three parts. The first part analyzes the separation between "Nature" and "cultures", and "humans" and "non-humans". These are typical dualisms of anthropocentrism, an invention of modernity/coloniality. The second part focuses on the institution of "natural law" as "peoples' law", to arbitrate conflicts between nation-states in their respective colonial projects. The third part inquires about the indispensability of "going back" from the "Nature/cultures" dualism, in order to free ourselves from the vicious circle in which we are trapped. The conclusion, as an alternative to the attitudes of exteriority, superiority and instrumentality typical of modern/colonial anthropocentrism, proposes relationships of belonging, interaction and care for all expressions of life on the planet: human beings, living beings and beings that populate the cosmos. It is about privileging relationships and movements in a continuous process of composition between organisms, species and collectives.