Power and gaze: the human experience of volcanoes across myth, philosophy, literature, and geoethics

Abstract

Volcanoes assert themselves as true anthropological and cultural topoi, symbols of nature’s power and, at the same time, mirrors of human fragility and aspiration. The awe with which humans have long approached their force has generated mythological, literary, philosophical, and scientific experiences and practices of great fascination and marked cultural interest, revealing how fear and wonder can become drivers of knowledge and responsibility. In this contribution, an attempt will be made to offer an exemplary synthesis of some of these anthropological practices, ranging from myth and its role in the development of scientific thought, to literature and philosophy, with particular attention to the concept of the sublime and to the function of wonder/tháuma as both a cognitive and emotional experience. From this perspective, volcanoes are not only objects of study or threats to be managed, but also instruments of geoethical reflection, as they invite recognition of our belonging to nature, our finitude, and the need to establish relationships with the environment based on respect, care, and shared responsibility. Wonder, far from being a mere irrational feeling, thus becomes a driver of prudent behaviour, social awareness, and sustainable practices, integrating scientific knowledge and cultural sensitivity in coexistence with natural forces.