Metamorphoses

Emanuele Coccia's argument that metamorphosis is the relationship that binds all species together and unites the living with the non-living, highlights that each species, including the human species, is the metamorphosis of all those that preceded it. This encourages us to abandon our view of the human species as static and independent and to recognize that we are part of a much larger and interconnected form of life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 180 pages
Publication date: 25 June 2021
Publisher: Polity Press

The captivating phenomenon of metamorphosis, where a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, has captivated the human imagination for centuries. Despite their apparent differences, these two creatures are part of the same life. Emanuele Coccia, in his insightful essay, argues that metamorphosis is the bond that connects all species, uniting the living with the non-living. From bacteria to viruses, fungi to plants, animals to humans, each species is a unique manifestation of this universal process. Coccia emphasizes that each species, including humanity, is a metamorphosis of its predecessors, cobbling together a new body and form to exist in distinct ways. He challenges the notion of a rigid distinction between the living and the non-living, suggesting that life is a continuous reincarnation of the non-living, a vibrant carnival of the Earth's telluric substance. Coccia's reflection on metamorphosis encourages us to expand our perspective and recognize our interconnectedness with the natural world. It prompts us to abandon the notion of human species as static and independent and embrace our role within a much larger and interconnected form of life. By understanding the profound connection between all living beings, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the world around us.

Weight: 292g
Dimension: 139 x 215 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509545674