Paper short abstract:

In this paper I will argue that we have never been in a more urgent need for a concept of naturalness. Others have argued that facing the Anthropocene calls for the final abandonment of naturalness. This debate depends on what we mean by ‘naturalness’.

Paper long abstract:

In Philosophy of Nature: Rethinking Naturalness (Routledge 2016) I argue that we need to recognize how our concept of nature and naturalness depend on particular ontological assumptions, and that rethinking these concepts in terms of a dispositional ontology will make an important difference for the way we think about naturalness in relation to science, ethics and technology.

The way we think about Anthropocene depends heavily of our concept of nature and naturalness, and I argue that these concepts have never been more important. Many have argued for the opposite, i.e . that 'entering the Anthropocene' calls for a new synthesis between man and nature, a synthesis that puts the final nail in the coffin for the idea of naturalness. While I agree to the claim that we need a new synthesis I think the conclusion is wrong and contra productive. I will compare my own view with the view that we find in Stephen Vogel's book "Thinking Like a Mall" (MIT Press 2015).