Deep Ecology of Arne Naess Flashcards
What is a ‘land ethic’?
‘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.
What led Arne Naess to develop the idea of deep and shallow ecology?
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.
What basis does deep ecology have?
A spiritual basis.
According to Naess, who (if anyone) can claim dominance over the environment?
No specific species can claim dominance due to possession of a soul, consciousness or the ability to make a reasoned argument.
What is ecosophy?
The idea that true knowledge lies in the harmony of creation.
Deep ecologists brand the Christian idea of Stewardship as what?
Unnecessary arrogance.
Deep Ecology has what approach?
Ecocentric - nature is at the centre, No one section of existence is anymore important than any others.
Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 1.
All life has value, independently of its usefulness to humans - intrinsic value.
Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 2.
Richness and diversity contribute to life’s well being - Earth has various different species, humans must look after it.
Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 3.
Humans have no right to reduce this richness - extinction.
Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 4.
The impact of humans in the world is excessive and is getting worse.
Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 5.
Humans lifestyles and population are key to this impact - China’s one child policy.
Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 6.
The diversity of life can only flourish with reduced human impact.
Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 7.
Basic ideological, political, economic and technological structures must change - change the way of life, not just individual changes.
Eight-fold Deep Ecology Platform - 8.
If an individual agrees with these 7 points, then they have an obligation to implement changes, and do so peacefully and democratically.
Who was the other person who came up with the eight-fold plan?
George Sessions.
What was Richard Routley’s view?
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.
What was Paul Taylor’s view?
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’.
What is Biocentric Egalitarianism?
The equality of all living things.
Weakness of Deep Ecology - population.
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.
Weakness of Deep Ecology - Luc Ferry.
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.
