Literature Review 2
Bennett, Jane. “The Force of Things”. Chapter 1. Vibrant Matter: A Political Ecology of Things. Pages 1 -19. Duke University Press. 2009.
The book Vibrant Matter: A Political Ecology of Things is written by Jane Bennett. Bennett (b.1957) is an American political theorist and philosopher known for her interdisciplinary work in political theory, environmental humanities, and affect theory, exploring intersections of politics, ethics, and ontology. She has a particular interest in the agency and vitality of non-human entities, challenging anthropocentrism and advocating for a more ecologically conscious approach to political theory. In addressing her intentions in expressing her viewpoint on the importance of acknowledging the vibrancy of non-human objects in this text Bennett (2009) states she “will emphasise, even over emphasise, the agentic contributions of non-human forces (operating in nature, in the human body, and in human artefacts) in an attempt to counter the narcissistic reflex of human language and thought.” (Bennett, 2009).
Bennett explores the idea of vibrant matter and how it can translate to an alternative understanding of the world. In chapter one (“The Force of Things”), Bennett (2009) argues that the conventional understanding of matter as being passive fails to capture the dynamic nature of inert material and introduces the term "thing-power", stating; “thing-power gestures toward the strange ability of ordinary, man-made items to exceed their status as objects and to manifest traces of independence or aliveness, constituting the outside of our own experience” (Bennett, 2009). This describes how inert things can have an independent force and vitality that goes beyond their status as mere objects, revealing something beyond human experiences. She argues that with a deeper understanding of material agency, humans can develop a more ethical and sustainable relationship with the world, that acknowledges the interdependence and shared responsibility humans have towards all forms of life.
Bennett draws on the views of philosophers such as Baruch Spinoza, Gilles Deleuze and Bruno Latour to challenge the human-centric perspective that dominates Western thought. Bennett proposes the concept of "vital materiality" as an alternative ontological-based perspective to the moral imperative proposed by German philosopher Immanuel Kant. Kant is considered one of the most influential thinkers in the field of political philosophy, and judicial systems in democratic societies are largely based on his writings. According to Kant, the imperative is a universal moral law that applies to all rational beings, guiding their actions to determine what is morally right and wrong. This perspective means to prevent instrumentalisation or the exploitation of humans.
Bennett argues in response that the Kantian imperative creates a separation between humans and the rest of the material world has not been particularly successful. She states “the Kantian imperative to treat humanity always as an end-in-itself and never merely as a means does not have a stellar record of success in preventing human suffering or promoting human well-being: it is important to raise the question of its actual historical efficacy in order to open up a space for forms of ethical practice that do not rely upon the image of an intrinsically hierarchical order of things” (Bennett, 2009). The implication here is that the Kantian principle of valuing humanity for its own sake, rather than using it as a means to an end, has not historically proven to be very effective in preventing suffering or promoting well-being for humans.
Therefore, it's important to question its historical effectiveness and explore alternative ethical practices that don't rely on the problematic idea of a naturally hierarchical order of things. She suggests that within vital materiality views of matter as being lively, the subject-object divide is minimised and acknowledges the interconnectedness of all matter, both human and non-human.
Acknowledging and considering the concept of thing-power and vital materiality gives way to a more comprehensive and ecologically attuned approach to ethics and politics, one which considers interplay and perhaps the ripple effects of actions. Humans largely differentiate objects and things from people, which is not necessarily conducive to fostering healthy interdependence with other matter or actants existing in the world. Embracing ideas of vital materiality that Bennett posits sets a path to redefining the human relationship with materials as lively and communicative and brings our perception closer to an ecological sensibility. Within the concept of vital materialism there seems to be a yearning to create a more mindful awareness of the outer world which will allow animals, plants, artifacts, and other such non-humans, to be treated with more consideration.
Sources
Bennett, Jane. 2009. Vibrant Matter: A Political Ecology of Things. Duke University Press.
“Jane Bennett | Political Science.” 2024. Political Science. March 14, 2024. https://politicalscience.jhu.edu/directory/jane-bennett/.
Team, Cfi. 2023. “Kantian Ethics.” Corporate Finance Institute. October 7, 2023. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/esg/kantian-ethics/.
