From Geopolitics to Geoanthropology: The Earth as a Symbol of Suffering in the Context of Human Experience

Research task. The aim of this article is to offer a philosophical interpretation of the relationship between the human being and the Earth through the existential of “suffering.” This approach makes it possible, first, to address the symbolic meaning of the Earth as an archetype of both personal and collective human identity, which conditions the consolidation of the nation; and second, to trace the interrelation between the image of the Earth in cultural imagination and the principles of ecological consciousness. Main material presentation. In contemporary philosophical thought, the Earth emerges as a multidimensional ontological structure that shapes human identity and determines the modes of human existence. The Earth is considered not only as a physical environment, but as a subject of symbolic, spiritual, and ethical dimensions. Within this context, the existential of suffering enables the interpretation of the human–Earth interaction as an act of co-experiencing. The shift in focus from geopolitics to geoanthropology signifies a rethinking of the “human–Earth” relationship as one of mutual responsibility rather than domination. The transition to an existential understanding of the Earth requires abandoning instrumental visions in favor of care and ethical responsibility. In this context, the formation of ecological consciousness appears as a necessary condition for the harmonious coexistence of the human being with the planet. Conclusions. Geopolitics, which throughout the twentieth century remained the dominant paradigm, is increasingly losing its relevance. Its emphasis on territorial and resource-based aspects of power reduced the Earth to a mere object of exploitation or an arena of geopolitical conflicts. At the same time, contemporary research increasingly turns to the anthropological dimension of the Earth, treating it as a subject affected by human activity. This approach calls for a radical rethinking of the conception of the Earth: from a passive object to an active subject to which existential categories–such as the category of suffering–may be applied. In light of the ecological crisis, the metaphor of the Earth’s suffering acquires particular significance, as it reveals the mechanisms of human alienation from nature and the consequences of such alienation. The development of the concept of soliumpoietics offers an alternative vision grounded in the principles of reciprocity, care, and responsibility, which may serve as a basis for overcoming the ecological crisis.