Beyond Narcissistic Humanism: Or, in the Face of Anthropogenic Climate Change, Is There a Case for Voluntary Human Extinction?

Abstract

This concluding chapter examines an enlightened anthropocentrism, one aligned with a certain biocentrism from which it is claimed to be inseparable. What would an enlightened anthropocentrism look like? Such an anthropocentrism would draw upon what may well be uniquely human attributes to construct an account of, or a conversation about, man's place in nature or options for a sustainable future. As proof that this would no longer be vulgar anthropocentrism, it must be possible for enlightened anthropocentrism to conclude, perhaps sadly, that despite being uniquely gifted analytically and imaginatively in being able to understand the situation, there is a dark side to this and/or allied capacities, which renders human presence toxic to the planet. Moreover, it must be possible that such an analysis would recommend the termination of the human project, its modification, or its posthuman redirection.