A posthumanist perspective on the novel Aeden in the context of the human-nature relationship

This study examines how the relationship between nature and humanity a topic frequently discussed particularly since the 2000s is addressed in the novel Aeden, within the context of posthumanist critical theory. The novel Aeden, published by Azra Akilah Kohen in 2016, has been analyzed using a qualitative methodology within the framework of the identified theoretical themes. The relationships between humans and nature on the two distinct planets featured in the work, the foundations of the differences in these relationships, and the presence of a concept of domination have been revealed, thereby approaching the work through a posthumanist critique. The study employed the thematic content analysis method from qualitative research designs, and the data were coded and systematized according to theoretical parameters. This study is limited to Azra Akilah Kohen’s novel Aeden. The research offers new horizons regarding the re-examination of the human-nature relationship in a work of science fiction within Turkish literature through posthumanist critiques. The results of the study revealed that, on Earth one of the planets featured in the work human domination over nature is examined through the lens of posthumanist thought, and it was determined that the human-nature relationship criticized by posthumanism is presented as an example of a dystopia. Another finding is that the perspective governing the planet Aeden which mirrors post-humanism in its human-nature relationship and advocates for a non-hierarchical, horizontal ontological foundation is constructed as an example of utopia. The study possesses a unique quality in that it brings current theoretical debates into dialogue with Turkish science fiction literature.