Reinventing Kantian Reciprocity in the Age of Polycrisis: The Reciprocene as a New Moral Paradigm

In the era of the Anthropocene, humanity faces a polycrisis characterized by environmental degradation, technological upheavals, and existential risks threatening the continuity of humanity in terms of its moral and social structures. This paper explores the relevance of Kantian moral theory in addressing these challenges by proposing the "Reciprocene" as a normative paradigm. The reciprocene thus represents a shift from the isolated autonomy of modernity to a relational framework that integrates reciprocity, continuity, and responsibility. Unlike the Anthropocene, which emphasizes human dominance over nature, the reciprocene advances a vision of mutual interdependence among individuals, communities, and ecosystems. It highlights the moral asymmetries in obligations to future generations, non-human entities, and marginalized communities, offering reciprocity as a guiding principle that transcends transactional exchanges. The principle of reciprocity, central to Kant’s ethics, is re-examined as a bridge between evolutionary predispositions and normative obligations. Reciprocity transcends transactional exchanges to become a foundation for universalizable principles of justice and respect for persons. The paper examines the genealogical and conceptual foundations of the reciprocene, exploring its biocultural roots in evolutionary reciprocity and its moral evolution through philosophical traditions ranging from Aristotle to Kant and beyond. It critiques simplistic notions of symmetry in reciprocity, emphasizing the transformative potential of asymmetrical relationships—such as those between present and future generations or between humans and the planet. Reciprocity bridges the dualism of self-interest and altruism, integrating the moral gravitas of Levinasian responsibility with the practical rationality of Kantian universalism. To this end, the paper introduces the innovative concept of "authenomy"—a fusion of autonomy and authenticity—as a cornerstone for ethical action in this context. Authenomy reconceptualizes reciprocity to balance individual authenticity and collective moral responsibility. This synthesis offers a pathway to the reciprocene—a normative order where human relationships and environmental systems are harmonized through shared ethical commitments. Authenomy fosters balanced reciprocity, acknowledging individual moral freedom while embracing the demands of justice, dignity, and collective wellbeing. This approach recasts Kant’s categorical imperative to sustain moral and ecological systems through intergenerational equity and proactive responsibility. Ultimately, the reciprocene demands moral agents, as bearers of "authenomic" responsibility, engage in practices sustaining reciprocity, including intergenerational equity, environmental stewardship, and solidarity. The reciprocene’s ethical architecture therefore emphasizes societal cohesion, counteracting fragmentation and polarization by fostering proportionality, mutual recognition, and distributive justice. By integrating Kantian imperatives with the evolving demands of reciprocity, the reciprocene provides a robust foundation for moral progress and continuity, guiding humanity toward a future defined by shared responsibility and mutual respect.