CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2021
| Author | Ogula, Olga |
|---|---|
| Title | One With(in) The Nature: The Dichotomization Of Human - Non-Human Worlds In Environmental Documentaries |
| Summary | In this thesis I discuss the articulation of human – non-human relationship in environmental documentaries. I argue that, despite their attempts to draw attention to climate change as a worldwide problem, eco-docs tend to dichotomize human and nature, to represent human as a subject which is primary to other forms of life. The relationship between human and nature is often seen as oppositional, confrontational and dichotomic. Such a take is problematic since it focuses on the separation of human and nature and refuses to embrace the complexity of the interconnections, entanglements and dialogical encounters between humans and other forms of life. Such approach fundamentally limits the ways of dealing with and thinking of global warming presenting human as oppositional to nature. Drawing on complexity theory, I discuss a different way of approaching human and its body in relation to nature in the context of climate change, specifically in the eco-documentary medium. Inspired by such thinkers as Bennett, Cudworth and Hobden, Latour and Fagan, I suggest embracing the non-hierarchical worldview which sees the world as complex, entangled and heterogeneous. I suggest re-visiting the established understanding of human as vital, animated subject in comparison to unanimated, material ‘things’ engaging with Bennett’s concept of vital materiality. Complexity approach to human and its role in global warming invites to think differently of other species and our relation to them. I believe that thinking differently will bring in new, probably more productive and creative ways of dealing with climate change issue. |
| Supervisor | Kurowska, Xymena |
| Department | International Relations MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2021/ogula_olga.pdf |
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