Antropocene e Neo-prometeismo aidosiano [Anthropocene and aidosean neo-prometheanism]

Starting from the assumption of Prometheus (i.e. Prometheanism) as anthropological archetype, my paper aims to show the characterization of such an archetype within the framework of the so-called Anthropocene. According to my approach, the main outcome of the Anthropocene (considered as worldview and paradigm) is to be found in the Pet-ification of Nature, which consists in the metamorphosis of the image of nature from an object (= something to be exploited) into a ‘pet’ (= ‘someone’ in need of total care). This metamorphosis equates to a new form of anthropocentrism (i.e. an anthropocenic anthropocentrism) which I call Aidosean Neo-Prometheanism. In this case, Promethean hybris emerges as the paradoxical result of hyper-interest and omni-responsibility towards the otherness of nature. As a consequence, the Paradox of the Omni-responsibility undermines the ethical reference system for ecological thought in recent decades: Hans Jonas’ imperative responsibility. Such a paradox makes it clear that no authentic Verantwortlichkeit (responsibility) is possible without Gelassenheit (releasement).