On the Ground: Terrestrial Theopoetics and Planetary Politics

On the Ground is a book that looks to soil as a symbol for constructive possibilities for hope and planetary political action in the Anthropocene. It argues that ground offers a symbol for conceiving of the effects of climate change as collective and yet located, as communal and yet differential. It draws on soil science, theopoetics, feminist ethics, poststructuralism, process philosophy, and more to ask how might soil inspire and help re-imagine forms of planetary politics in the midst of climate change.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 05 December 2023
Publisher: Fordham University Press

A bold, theoretical, and pragmatic book that looks to soil as a symbol for constructive possibilities for hope and planetary political action in the Anthropocene. Climate change is here. Its ravaging effects will upend our interconnected ecosystems, and yet those effects will play out disproportionately among the planet's nearly 8 billion human inhabitants. On the Ground explores how one might account for the many paradoxical tensions posed by the Anthropocene: tensions between planetarity and particularity, connectivity and contextuality, entanglement and exclusion. Using the philosophical and theological idea of "ground," Van Horn argues that ground—when read as earth-ground, as soil—offers a symbol for conceiving of the effects of climate change as collective and yet located, as communal and yet differential. In so doing, he offers critical interventions on theorizations of hope and political action amid the crises of climate change. Drawing on soil science, theopoetics, feminist ethics, poststructuralism, process philosophy, and more, On the Ground asks: In the face of global climate catastrophe, how might one theorize this calamitous experience as shared and yet particular, as interconnected and yet contextual? Might there be a way to conceptualize our interconnected experiences without erasing critical constitutive differences, particularly of social and ecological location? How might these conceptual interventions catalyze pluralistic, anti-racist planetary politics amid the Anthropocene? In short, the book addresses these queries: What philosophical and theological concepts can soil create? How might soil inspire and help re-imagine forms of planetary politics in the midst of climate change? On the Ground thus roots us in a robust theoretical symbol in the Anthropocene.

Climate change is upon us, and its devastating impacts will undoubtedly disrupt our interconnected ecosystems. However, it is important to note that these effects will be felt disproportionately by the world's nearly 8 billion human inhabitants. On the Ground delves into how we can navigate the complex paradoxes posed by the Anthropocene, such as the tensions between planetarity and particularity, connectivity and contextuality, and entanglement and exclusion. By employing the philosophical and theological concept of "ground," Van Horn suggests that soil—when interpreted as earth-ground and soil—can serve as a symbol for understanding the collective and localized effects of climate change. This approach offers critical insights into theorizing hope and political action in the face of climate crisis.

Drawing from a wide range of disciplines, including soil science, theopoetics, feminist ethics, poststructuralism, and process philosophy, On the Ground poses profound questions about how we can conceptualize our interconnected experiences without erasing essential differences, particularly in terms of social and ecological location. The book seeks to catalyze pluralistic, anti-racist planetary politics amidst the Anthropocene. In essence, it addresses the following inquiries: What philosophical and theological concepts can soil inspire? How can soil help reimagine forms of planetary politics in the midst of climate change?

On the Ground serves as a powerful anchor in the Anthropocene, providing us with a rich theoretical symbol to navigate the challenges and opportunities of this era. By exploring the relationship between soil and climate change, the book offers a roadmap for building a more resilient and inclusive world. It encourages us to think beyond individual actions and to recognize the interconnectedness of our experiences and the impact we have on the planet. As we face the imminent threat of climate catastrophe, On the Ground reminds us of the potential for collective action and the power of hope to drive positive change.

Weight: 302g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781531505561