Deep Ecology of Arne Naess

Question 1

What is a ‘land ethic’?

Answer 1

‘There is as yet no ethic dealing with man’s relation to land and to the animals and plants which grow upon it’ - Aldo Leopold.

Question 2

What led Arne Naess to develop the idea of deep and shallow ecology?

Answer 2

His love of the sea first made him realise the importance and integrity of nature - the sea has a deep floor and a shallow coastline.

Question 3

What basis does deep ecology have?

Answer 3

A spiritual basis.

Question 4

According to Naess, who (if anyone) can claim dominance over the environment?

Answer 4

No specific species can claim dominance due to possession of a soul, consciousness or the ability to make a reasoned argument.

Question 5

What is ecosophy?

Answer 5

The idea that true knowledge lies in the harmony of creation.

Question 6

Deep ecologists brand the Christian idea of Stewardship as what?

Answer 6

Unnecessary arrogance.

Question 7

Deep Ecology has what approach?

Answer 7

Ecocentric - nature is at the centre, No one section of existence is anymore important than any others.

Question 8

Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 1.

Answer 8

All life has value, independently of its usefulness to humans - intrinsic value.

Question 9

Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 2.

Answer 9

Richness and diversity contribute to life’s well being - Earth has various different species, humans must look after it.

Question 10

Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 3.

Answer 10

Humans have no right to reduce this richness - extinction.

Question 11

Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 4.

Answer 11

The impact of humans in the world is excessive and is getting worse.

Question 12

Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 5.

Answer 12

Humans lifestyles and population are key to this impact - China’s one child policy.

Question 13

Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 6.

Answer 13

The diversity of life can only flourish with reduced human impact.

Question 14

Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 7.

Answer 14

Basic ideological, political, economic and technological structures must change - change the way of life, not just individual changes.

Question 15

Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 8.

Answer 15

If an individual agrees with these 7 points, then they have an obligation to implement changes, and do so peacefully and democratically.

Question 16

Who was the other person who came up with the eight-fold plan?

Answer 16

George Sessions.

Question 17

What was Richard Routley’s view?

Answer 17

Called favouring animals over humans ‘human chauvinism’.
Argued that people should limit all harm to natural objects as it could jeopardise the well-being of natural systems without good reason.

Question 18

What was Paul Taylor’s view?

Answer 18

Argued for the moral significance of non-sentient beings since everything is ‘pursuing its own good in its own unique way’.
Said that it is the same as how people see themselves and therefore people should place ‘the same value on their existence as they do on our own’.

Question 19

What is Biocentric Egalitarianism?

Answer 19

The equality of all living things.

Question 20

Weakness of Deep Ecology - population.

Answer 20

Arguments rage about the best method to reduce population and thereby prevent the destruction of biodiversity - response to number 5 in the eight-fold plan.

Question 21

Weakness of Deep Ecology - Luc Ferry.

Answer 21

Some deep ecologists argue that starvation is a natural process and that an unsustainable human population should be allowed to die.
Luc Ferry called this ecofascism.