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: Hardback
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 the same life. Coccia emphasizes that each species, including humanity, is a metamorphosis of its predecessors, cobbling together a new body and form to exist in different ways. He challenges the notion of opposition 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 that continually births new faces and ways of being from even the smallest particles of its diverse body.

By delving into the mystery of metamorphosis, Coccia encourages us to abandon our narrow view of the human species as separate and independent. Instead, he invites us to recognize our interconnectedness with the broader world of life. Metamorphosis reminds us that we are not separate entities but rather integral parts of a magnificent tapestry of diversity. It urges us to embrace our role in the ecosystem and to work towards preserving the delicate balance of nature.

In conclusion, metamorphosis serves as a powerful reminder of our connection to the natural world. It encourages us to appreciate the diversity of life and to recognize our role in its preservation. Through Coccia's insightful reflection, we are invited to embrace a broader perspective on our existence and to work towards a more harmonious relationship with the Earth and its inhabitants.

Weight: 376g
Dimension: 224 x 145 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509545667