Inhuman Nature: Sociable Life on a Dynamic Planet (Published in association with Theory, Culture & Society)

The relationship between social thought and earth processes is in its infancy. It is an oddly neglected part of the social sciences. This exciting book offers to make good the defect by exploring how human induced changes impact upon planetary process. It provides a much needed in-depth inquiry into the volatile relationship between human life and the physical earth, considers the social and political implications of consistently thinking of the earth as a dynamic planet, asks what we can learn from natural catastrophes, and brings together an inter-disciplinary perspective using data from Sociology, Political Science, Philosophy and Earth / Life Sciences. The result is a landmark work that will be of interest to readers across the Social Sciences and Humanities as well as Geography and Environmental Studies. The relationship between social thought and earth processes is an oddly neglected part of the social sciences. This exciting book offers to make good the deficit by exploring how human activity and planetary processes impact upon each other. The book: • Provides a much needed in-depth inquiry into the volatile relationship between human life and the physical earth • Considers the social and political implications of consistently thinking of the earth as a dynamic planet • Asks what we can learn from natural catastrophes and from those who have lived through them • Offers an inter-disciplinary perspective bringing together insights from sociology, geography, philosophy and earth / life sciences. The result is a landmark work that will be of interest to readers across the social sciences and humanities as well as environmental studies and disaster studies. Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 7 Contents 8 Acknowledgements 9 Introduction 11 1 The Earth in Physical and Social Thought 24 2 Ways to Make a World: From Relational Materiality to Radical Asymmetry 50 3 After the Tsunami: Vulnerability on a Volatile Planet 78 4 Quaking: The 1755 Lisbon Disaster and the Modern Subject 104 5 Justice and Abrupt Climate Change 130 6 Hurricane Katrina and the Origins of Community 160 7 ‘Burning for the Other’: Colonial Encounters on a Planet of Fire 186 8 Extending Hospitality: Global Mobility and Journeys in Deep Time 216 References 243 Index 262 A timely exploration of the social context of environmental change and it′s effect on mankind. A unique mix of both social and environmental science approaches.