From Anthropocentrism to Ecological Responsibility: Reconstructing the Human Nature Relationship in the Anthropocene

Abstract

The Anthropocene exposes a fundamental philosophical tension in the relationship between human beings and the natural world, revealing the limitations of domination-centered environmental thinking. This article examines the philosophical foundations of anthropocentrism and evaluates its implications for contemporary human–nature relations through critical philosophical analysis. The study employs conceptual analysis, critical hermeneutics, comparative ethical analysis, and normative philosophical argumentation to examine anthropocentrism, ecocentrism, instrumental conceptions of nature, ecological interdependence, responsibility, justice, and sustainability. The analysis demonstrates that anthropocentrism becomes ethically problematic when human distinctiveness is interpreted as unrestricted authority over nature and when ecological entities are valued primarily through human utility. Ecocentrism provides an important corrective by recognizing ecological integrity and the moral significance of non-human nature, yet an exclusive ecocentric orientation may create tensions concerning human dignity, social justice, and legitimate human needs. The article therefore proposes Relational Ecological Responsibility as a philosophical reconstruction that integrates human dignity with ecological interdependence. The framework conceptualizes responsibility as the normative bridge connecting human agency with ecological consequences and positions justice and sustainability as essential conditions of responsible coexistence. This orientation recognizes ecological protection as an ethical obligation and condition for human flourishing across generations. The study contributes to environmental philosophy by reframing human distinctiveness from privilege into responsibility and the human–nature relationship from domination toward relational participation, ecological justice, and long-term flourishing.