Michel Serres
Interventions for Our Time of Crisis
INTRODUCTION
From having to rethink everything, philosophy changes span and sees its responsibility to grow. Either a new human, a citizen of the world, will appear, or humanity will totter (Michel Serres, Branches)
The aim of this website is to inspire you to read, think about and discuss Michel Serres’ far-reaching proposals concerning the planetary crisis.
Serres was a philosopher who died in 2019 at the age of 89. At present, he is little known outside France. He wrote over 70 books, many of which reflected on the history of the climate crisis and how to respond to it in a way that would make a real difference. Many of his books have been translated into English over recent years.
Serres’ approach to philosophy was in different ways ‘down to earth’. He drew inspiration from his humble rural background, and he disliked the insular academic world. He also drew inspiration from a remarkable range of sources. These included mathematics, science, literature, communication theory, ancient myths and religion. He is impossible to pigeonhole.
Serres believed that philosophy should invent new ways of thinking and living. It should learn from the past, but above all invent the future. He had firsthand experience of the horrors of the world but never lost hope.
This site introduces four Foundations of his response to the planetary emergency:
Over 30 years ago, Serres insisted we need to seek a global pact that includes all nature, including ourselves. He wrote about this in his book The Natural Contract, first published in 1990, and he frequently returned to the theme in later books.
Serres thought that our new understanding of the evolution of our planet and all living things could transform our relation to each other and the earth. The ‘Common Story’ reveals what all living beings share, the fundamental bonds of nature that underpin the formation of a natural contract.
Serres considered that new forms of information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as the internet and artificial intelligence, possessed dangers. But he also thought the opportunities of ICTs could help form a global community that brought us closer to the rest of nature. The Web mirrored the entangled bonds of nature.
Serres considered that the abuse of the planet could not be separated from the abuse of each other. In his later work, Serres reflected on the need for a new global politics. The Natural Contract, a shared Common Story and world-wide access to each other and information about the world would provide key springboards for a new way of conducting politics.
The Branching Out blog supports, challenges and extends Serres’ ideas. Your comments and contributions are essential here in exploring pathways of hope that match the depth and extent of the planetary emergency.