Contemporary French Environmental Thought in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Contemporary French Environmental Thought in the Post-COVID-19 Era is focused on the fields of biosemiotics, linguistics, ecocriticism, and environmental ethics. Closely aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 13.1, Keith Moser’s study aims to strengthen resilience to climate-related hazards by drawing on ecological theories developed by French philosophers in conversation with biosemiotic principles. Not only does the novel theoretical framework offered by biosemiotic interpretations of the universe and our place in it represent an indispensable conceptual tool for understanding the unprecedented medical challenges at the dawn of a new millennium, but it also beckons us to think harder about the environmental crisis that threatens the continued existence of all sentient beings who call the biosphere home. This book also highlights the richness, diversity, and utility of the ecological theories developed by the French philosophers Michel Serres, Edgar Morin, Jacques Derrida, Dominique Lestel, and Michel Onfray in addition to how they engage with biosemiotic principles. Taken together, the book probes the scientific, linguistic, philosophical, and ethical implications of biosemiotic theories in a post-pandemic world from an environmental and medical perspective.

“Drawing on his extensive knowledge of French Theory, Moser reconsiders courageously the philosophical thinking of five great contemporary French philosophers … in light of the theories of numerous scientists and biosemiotics scholars … . The interdisciplinary approach proposed by the author is certainly able to contribute to a radical paradigm shift for imagining a sustainable future and a methodological tactic to study the essence of communication and of life itself. Moser’s book is a well-documented and rigorous analysis … .” (Carlo Caccia, Enthymema, vol. 32, 2023)

“Moser fleshes out the arguments of several key figures whose philosophies have been ‘cemented’ (96, 138) into French environmental thought and whose convergence could help contemporary scholars across the humanities and hard sciences find solutions to the increasing ‘ecocidal trajectory’ … we find ourselves in. … Contextualizing and gleaning the most salient and convergent arguments from Serres, Morin, Derrida, Onfray, and Lestel, Moser argues a way forward is through the ‘interdiscipline of biosemiotics,’ … .” (Abbey Carrico, The French Review, Vol. 96 (4), May, 2023)

“The book provides a valuable lesson in the obvious public health crisis that might help us in understanding what science and philosophy could teach us about our place in the biosphere. … The obvious purpose of the book … is to make us aware of the possible future pandemics and, at the same time, provide a unique biosemiotic perspective of the world. … Keith Moser’s remarkable work is a tour de force … .” (Dan Manolescu, Journal of Critical Studies in Language and Literature, Vol. 3 (3), 2022)

“Keith Moser undertakes the difficult task of integrating prominent French thinkers into the discourse of biosemiotics to direct attention to the ecological apocalypse and the realistic possibility of future pandemics. This approach is vital, because no similar extension of this young discipline had been outlined in the past.”

— Guenther Witzany, Philosopher and independent researcher, Buermoos, Austria

“Emerging dialogue between French ecological theory and biosemiotics has much potential. Keith Moser demonstrates surprising concordances between the voices of Serres, Morin, Lestel, Hoffmeyer, von Uexküll, and others. Extensive in scope, well-informed, and very contemporary, Moser’s book stands out as a trailblazing example of this new synthesis.”

— Timo Maran, The University of Tartu

“This is a timely and elegantly lucid effort underscoring the utility of the biosemiotic approach in the post-pandemic era. Moser persuasively demonstrates how human life is inextricably linked to the remainder of the biosphere compelling us to reexamine the modes of awareness driving the lives of other species.”

—Charles Altieri, The University of California, Berkeley

 “Keith Moser’s remarkable work, Contemporary French Environmental Thought in the Post-COVID-19 Era proposes a fundamental philosophical reorientation of humanity’s relationship with itself and the planet through a rigorous analysis of the biosemiotic and endosemiotic thought of French philosophers Michel Serres, Edgar Morin, Jacques Derrida, Dominique Lestel, and Michel Onfray.”  

 —Isaac Joslin, Arizona State University

 “Inspired by the ecological philosophies of five prominent French thinkers, Moser cogently and persuasively argues that the twin scourges of climate change and COVID-19 necessitate a biosemiotic view of the world. The realization that all life—from viruses to humans—is sentient and communicates through signs requires a radical reevaluation of bioethics, if the earth is to survive these crises.”

—Jonathan Krell, The University of Georgia

 

Keith Moser is Professor of French and Francophone Studies at Mississippi State University, USA. He is the author of eight full-length book projects including J.M.G. Le Clézio: A Concerned Citizen of the Global Village, The Encyclopedic Philosophy of Michel Serres, Imagination and Art, and The Metaphor of the Monster.