Disenchanted world, promethean attitude and death of nature Diagnosis and reflection about possible alternatives

Abstract

This article analyzes the way in which the disenchanted vision of the world, mechanistic science and the prevalence of a Promethean attitude of domination were combined in the modern era. In terms of Carolyn Merchant (1990), these processes led to the "death of Nature" (metaphorical and factual). The available literature that reports these problems is extremely vast. Thus, the study refers to a series of contemporary authors who agree on essential points of the diagnosis. The statement of the problem includes historical studies (particularly, history of science), philosophical and sociological analysis. The inquiry invokes the exegetical reading of Pierre Hadot (2015), the ecofeminist perspective developed by Carolyn Merchant (1990) and the ethics of responsibility postulated by Hans Jonas (1995). The objective is to avoid a simplistic and unambiguous reading of these complex processes, as well as to overcome binary divisions and traditional disputes. This theoretical reflection, with a practical horizon, proposes a moderate Promethean attitude in connection with the ethics of responsibility, and the promotion of the aesthetic contemplation of nature linked with perspectives and actions of ecological care.