Men’s well-being and affects in nature environments – a posthumanist perspective

Abstract

According to research, dwelling in nature has positive effects on people’s well-being. The effects of nature on well-being are studied in many disciplines. I examine the connections between nature and well-being from a posthumanist perspective. Posthumanist thinking questions anthropocentric thinking and being detached from nature. I look at how well-being is increased in nature. I understand well-being as a Spinozian ability to affect and be affected. The research material consists of go-along driftings conducted with five men. I use post-qualitative ‘concept as a method’ -analysis. The concept I am using is affect. In nature, a variety of transitions are taking place that enhance the body-mind's ability to affect and to be affected. Environments affect the body-mind, causing both calmness and increased movement. Plants, animals, and artifacts are encountered in nature. Technology can bring new opportunities and support in becoming affected by animals. Driftings function as a natural way to hear about men’s experiences. When being in nature, functional capacity plays a significant part in forming relationships with the material environment. By analysing affects, functional capacity can be understood as diverse and individual, becoming-well in the midst of heterogeneous factors.