Roots or Rhizomes? The Middle Ages and ´Our Ecologic Crisis’
Since the publication of Lynn T. White Junior’s seminal article about ´The Historical Roots of Our Ecologic Crisis’ in 1967, many scholars, some of them historians, have questioned whether the origins of the Anthropocene can be traced back to the European Middle Ages. While medievalists in general tend to be critical of White´s argument per se, the broader idea that the period was a turning point of global significance can be found in recent publications. This presentation examines this historiographic trend and questions its underpinnings and consequences. Crucially, it explores the articulation of ´medieval’ and ´modern’ as well known historical concepts relevant in traditional periodisation. Can we and should we redefine them to see capitalism, imperialism, and the Anthropocene as modern novelties or mere continuations of medieval trends?