Human, Too Human?

Abstract

Based on a statement by Alexander von Humboldt, this paper reviews the origins of the Anthropocene, associating them to a system, a way of life, and an ideology whose peculiarities must be known in order to avoid some of its most dramatic consequences. Three questions guide the text: When did this new stage in the history of Earth, known as the Anthropocene, begin? What does it consist of? What are the contributions of social sciences to alleviate its effect and have a better future? In order to answer them, this paper proposes to reconsider three essential processes in the relationship between humans; and between humans and non-humans: adaptation, appropriation and representation.