The role of commons in the transition from the

Anthropocene to a Symbiocene

Henkjan Laats. Ph.D

Point of departure
“Our mutual challenge (for the
survival of humankind) is to shift from
the Anthropocene to a Symbiocene, in
which we consider Life as a common”
(ref: Glenn Albrecht)
- Our aim: not questioning this thesis,
but use it as a seed for our
discussion
Susan L.Presscot
Considerations (1)
1. Newtonian/Cartesian Science was the first to question
the idea that Life is a common in which human and
non-human actors are interrelated, by proposing a
reductionist/machine focussed way of thinking.
2. Most often (reductionist) Newtonian/Cartesian
Science doesn’t and cannot consider practices and
wisdoms from other cultures and holistic science as
“real” science.
3. Newtonian/Cartesian Science (and many other
occidental phenomenae) focus on competition and do
not pay attention to symbiosis.

Picture: Dani Ras

Turning point
Authors such as Lynn Margulis, James
Lovelock and Fritjof Capra show that at all
levels life systems -one cell organisms,
living bodies, ecosystems and the
Earth/Gaia- in order to be resilient and to
survive, need to have a balance between
competition and symbiosis (in a sense
these systems function as commons)
Future and past generations

- Albrecht proposes/hopes
that the next generation (S)
will start the transition
towards the Symbiocene
- What will be the role of the 84+ 83-76 76-57 56-45 44-28 27-
other (living) generations?
- Include Asian/African/Latin-
American “Seven generation
philosohy and practice”
(ancestors and future
generations)?
Considerations (2)
• Commons theory is essential to learn how at all levels
Life systems shaped by the relations between non-
human actors, and –since the antropocene- also with
human actors, can survive and be resilient by finding a
balance between competition and symbiosis
• Many non-occidental philosophies/practices such as
Buen Vivir (Andes/Amazon region), Ubuntu (Africa) and
Buddhist concept of Happiness (Asia, Bhutan) provide
lessons on how to find and maintain this balance.
THANK YOU!
laats@crossculturalbridges.org