Ecophilosophy, Praxis, and the Deconstruction ofAnthropocentrism in Richard Powers the Overstory

Abstract

This paper analyses the relationship among eco-philosophy, praxis, and the deconstruction of
anthropocentrism in Powers' (2019) The Overstory, utilizing the theoretical framework of
Deep Ecology as advanced by Arne Naess (1989). Powers' work challenges the prevailing
anthropocentric perspective, presenting an eco-realm in which trees and ecosystems serve as
primary protagonists, questioning the hierarchical distinction between humans and nature.
This study, informed by Naess's concepts of Deep Ecology, such as intrinsic value, ecological
self-realization, and biocentric equality, examines how The Overstory (2019) promotes a
transition from anthropocentric ethics to a life-centered environmental ethos. The study
examines the praxis derived from Power's narrative, highlighting the novel's advocacy for
environmental action, shared responsibility, and a redefinition of humanity's position within
the biosphere. It emphasizes the metamorphic capacity of the story in cultivating ecological
awareness, suggesting that the novel acts as a medium for reevaluating, redefining ecological
ethics, and prompting action against environmental degradation. This study argues that by
integrating Naess's (1989) theoretical framework with literary analysis, the novel challenges
anthropocentrism while proposing a realistic approach to biocentric life, encouraging readers
to adopt ecological interdependence and activism. Integrating the ecophilosophy of deep
ecology and practice highlights the novel's importance in contemporary environmental
discourse.