Environmental philosophy: Difference between revisions
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In 1984, George Sessions and [[Arne Naess]] articulated the principles of the new Deep Ecology Movement.<ref>Drengson,Inoue, 1995. "The Deep Ecology Movement," North Atlantic Books, Berkley, California.</ref> |
In 1984, George Sessions and [[Arne Naess]] articulated the principles of the new Deep Ecology Movement.<ref>Drengson,Inoue, 1995. "The Deep Ecology Movement," North Atlantic Books, Berkley, California.</ref> |
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These basic principles: |
These basic principles: |
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*The well-being and flourishing of human and non |
*The well-being and flourishing of human and non-human life have value. |
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*Richness and diversity of life forms contribute to the realization of these values and are also values in themselves. |
*Richness and diversity of life forms contribute to the realization of these values and are also values in themselves. |
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*Humans have no right to reduce this richness and diversity except to satisfy vital needs. |
*Humans have no right to reduce this richness and diversity except to satisfy vital needs. |
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*Present human interference with the nonhuman world is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening. |
*Present human interference with the nonhuman world is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening. |
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*Policies must therefore be changed. These policies affect basic economic, technological, and ideological structures. The resulting state of affairs will be deeply different from the present. |
*Policies must therefore be changed. These policies affect basic economic, technological, and ideological structures. The resulting state of affairs will be deeply different from the present. |
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*The ideological change is mainly that of appreciating life quality (dwelling in situations of inherent value) rather than adhering to an increasingly higher standard of living. There will be a profound awareness of the difference between big and great. |
*The ideological change is mainly that of appreciating life quality (dwelling in situations of inherent value), rather than adhering to an increasingly higher standard of living. There will be a profound awareness of the difference between big and great. |
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*Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an obligation directly or indirectly to try to implement the necessary changes. |
*Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an obligation directly or indirectly to try to implement the necessary changes. |
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Revision as of 15:57, 20 November 2012
Environmental philosophy is a branch of philosophy that is concerned with the natural environment and humans' place within it.[1] Environmental philosophy includes environmental ethics, environmental aesthetics, ecofeminism and environmental theology.[2] Some of the main areas of interest for environmental philosophers are:
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Sandworm_by_Marco_Casagrande_%40_Wenduine%2C_Belgium.jpg/240px-Sandworm_by_Marco_Casagrande_%40_Wenduine%2C_Belgium.jpg)
- Defining environment and nature
- How to value the environment
- Moral status of animals and plants
- Endangered species
- Environmentalism and Deep Ecology
- Aesthetic value of nature
- Restoration of nature
- Consideration of future generations[1]
Contemporary Issues
Modern issues within Environmental Philosophy mimmick those issues within most environmental activism. Discoursed issues relate to the depletion of finite resources and other harmful and permanent effects brought on to the environment by humans.[3]
- Overfished oceans[4]
- Pesticides in ground and water
- Ozone holes
- Rising extinction rates
- Deforestation
- Pollutants in atmosphere (Such as Carbon-Dioxide)[5]
Modern History
Environmental Philosophy re-emerged as a major social movement in the 1970s. The movement was an attempt to connect with humanity's sense of alienation from nature in a continuing fashion throughout history. The movement created a divide between the body of writing that is fairly professional; objective, theoretical and academic in nature. This contrasts with a more spiritual and political concern. Environmental Philosophy encompasses each of these positions in the overall study and acknowledgement of the craft.[6]
Deep Ecology Movement
In 1984, George Sessions and Arne Naess articulated the principles of the new Deep Ecology Movement.[7] These basic principles:
- The well-being and flourishing of human and non-human life have value.
- Richness and diversity of life forms contribute to the realization of these values and are also values in themselves.
- Humans have no right to reduce this richness and diversity except to satisfy vital needs.
- The flourishing of human life and cultures is compatible with a substantial decrease in the human population.
- Present human interference with the nonhuman world is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening.
- Policies must therefore be changed. These policies affect basic economic, technological, and ideological structures. The resulting state of affairs will be deeply different from the present.
- The ideological change is mainly that of appreciating life quality (dwelling in situations of inherent value), rather than adhering to an increasingly higher standard of living. There will be a profound awareness of the difference between big and great.
- Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an obligation directly or indirectly to try to implement the necessary changes.
International Association for Environmental Philosophy
The International Association for Environmental Philosophy embraces a broad understanding of environmental philosophy, including not only environmental ethics, but also environmental aesthetics, ontology, and theology, philosophy of science, ecofeminism, and philosophy of technology.[8] The International Association for Environmental Philosophy encourages joint meetings with other academic disciplines and supports interdisciplinary student internships. It welcomes a diversity of approaches to environmental issues, including the many schools of Continental Philosophy, the history of philosophy, and the tradition of American philosophy.[9]
References
- ^ a b Belshaw, Christopher (2001). Environmental Philosophy. Chesham: Acumen. ISBN 1-902683-21-8.
- ^ "International Association of Environmental Philosophy". Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- ^ Sarkar, 2012. "Environmental philosophy: from theory to practice," Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, West Sussex.
- ^ "Environmental Ethics". Retrieved 2012-11-05.
- ^ Weston, 1999. "An Invitation to Environmental Philosophy," Oxford University Press, New York, New York.
- ^ Weston, 1999. "An Invitation to Environmental Philosophy," Oxford University Press, New York, New York.
- ^ Drengson,Inoue, 1995. "The Deep Ecology Movement," North Atlantic Books, Berkley, California.
- ^ "International Association of Environmental Philosophy". Retrieved 2012-11-11.
- ^ "International Association of Environmental Philosophy". Retrieved 2012-11-11.
See also
Further reading
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