Nonhuman Agency

Nonhuman agency refers to the capacity of objects, animals, or natural elements to act or influence outcomes independently of human control or intention. It recognizes that nonhuman entities can have an active role in shaping events, environments, and relationships. For example, a river shaping the landscape or an animal acting instinctively demonstrates nonhuman agency. This concept expands the understanding of agency beyond humans, emphasizing that nonhuman factors can also drive change and impact systems within ecological, social, or technological contexts.