Toward Companion Objects

In this paper, I take up Graham Harman’s critique of the philosophy of access as well as his proposed non-anthropocentric ontology, and I ask what it would be like for human beings to live or practice such a proposal. Drawing on Harman’s thinking about prehension, but shifting focus towards work in...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Anna Mudde
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Windsor 2018-01-01
Series:PhaenEx: Journal of Existential and Phenomenological Theory and Culture
Online Access:https://phaenex.uwindsor.ca/index.php/phaenex/article/view/5033
Description
Summary:In this paper, I take up Graham Harman’s critique of the philosophy of access as well as his proposed non-anthropocentric ontology, and I ask what it would be like for human beings to live or practice such a proposal. Drawing on Harman’s thinking about prehension, but shifting focus towards work in critical phenomenology and feminist science studies, I argue for the importance of human prehensive self-awareness within non-anthropocentric ontological practices, an awareness that emerges phenomenologically and in practice. Extending both Donna Haraway’s theory of companion species and phenomenological practices of being-here with other things, I lay a groundwork for practicing being human as companion object.
ISSN:1911-1576