# Life-domain

S A Hamed Hosseini¹

1 University of Newcastle

**Potential competing interests:** No potential competing interests to declare.

'life-domain' refers to a comprehensive and interconnected entity encompassing all living beings and their environment on planet Earth. It encompasses the biosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere, and includes microorganisms, plants, and animals. The concept of the life-domain emphasizes the interdependence and interconnectedness of all life forms, underscoring the significance of maintaining the health and balance of the natural world for the well-being of human and non-human societies and future generations.

The life-domain encompasses not only the ecological aspects but also human social systems and cultural practices that both shape and are shaped by the living world. It is a holistic domain that incorporates social, economic, and ecological dimensions of life, recognizing their relative autonomy. By using the term 'domain,' we acknowledge both control and power relations, as well as the need for responsibility and stewardship.

Unlike the concept of the 'web of life,' the life-domain encompasses the sociology and anthropology of conflictual power relations, recognizing the influence of class conflict and other social inequalities in shaping human interactions with the natural world. Moreover, it emphasizes the importance of social and environmental justice, highlighting the need to address issues of inequality and exploitation in our relationship with the broader natural environment.