Ethics, in Relations?

Abstract

Abstract This chapter argues that the implications of relational cosmology reach beyond reorienting our ontological and epistemological perspectives in IR. From them emerge also different, and rather difficult, set of conversations with those IR scholars concerned with normative or ethical theorizing or decision-making in IR. The relational perspective does not easily conform to classical orientations of ethical thinking in the field as it avoids commitment to general rules and moral norms. Yet, with the help of Karen Barad and Florence Chiew it is argued in this chapter that there is a distinct ‘ethical’ impetus, involving responsibility in intra-actions, inbuilt in the kind of orientation suggested by relational cosmology as it is developed here. From this perspective we are concerned to widen our concerns to ‘beyond the human’ but also to reflect on the limits of ‘ethics’ itself.