Gardens and Culture

Abstract

This chapter focuses on a small number of selected perspectives, conceptualizations and assumptions that are currently predominant in Western culture and that are in various ways entangled with the notion of the Anthropocene. Among these are the idea that there is a neat nature/culture divide, the notion of human exceptionalism, and anthropocentrism. The chapter discusses ways in which the Anthropocene puts pressure on these perspectives, conceptualizations and assumptions, and argues that reflecting on and/or working in gardens can help us rethink them in ways that are better fit to the circumstances of the new epoch. Among other things, it is maintained that gardens are models of Anthropocenian nature and that gardening is a practice of stewardship, the latter being the general normative trajectory for individuals and their networks to follow in the Anthropocene.