Thinking-With Associated Worlds: Multispecies Cohabitability and Other-Than-Human Anthropologies

Abstract

This essay explores the analytical potential of what I term “other-than-human anthropologies,” examining the emergence of lifeworlds --both human and nonhuman-- their interconnections, and their dynamic (co)existence, drawing on observations of crocodiles near the bridge over the Tárcoles River in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The central analytical provocation considers crocodiles as beings imbued with vitality and possessing an associated world. Additionally, I engage with theoretical and conceptual frameworks underpinned by the notion of “worlds that make worlds.” This analysis also addresses the role of nonhuman entities as narrative organizers. Finally, the analysis offers reflections on multispecies cohabitation amidst the challenges of anthropogenic crises.