Deep Ecololgy

A detailed Summary of Deep Ecololgy

The ideas behind deep ecology have major implications today. They allow people to think more profoundly about the environment and possibly come to a better understanding of their own meaning. People are intensely concerned about the world's technological adolescence, massive consumerism, and overpopulation. A man named Arne Naess, former head of the philosophy department at the University of Oslo founded an idea that can direct people's anxiety away from their "shallow" notion of the problem to one that is much "deeper." "Deep ecology goes beyond the limited piecemeal shallow approach to environmental problems and attempts to articulate a comprehensive religious and philosophical worldview." (EE p.145) In its most basic form, deep ecology is a wisdom, an ecosophy, which requires humans to see themselves as part of the bigger picture. Naess, Devall, and Sessions outline basic principles of deep ecology in their writing. Furthermore, they address the roles that scientific ecology plays as well as the concept of self-realization. Aside from these ideas, ecosabotage needs to be discussed in terms of how it fits with the practice of deep ecology.

The basic principles of deep ecology as ch

A significant decrease in human population would be beneficial for both human and nom-human life. Undoubtedly, the world's population is growing faster than at any time before due to such a large base despite declining growth rates. Governments need to make even greater efforts and more drastic goals for the future. One key point they argue is that most effort should go into lowering population growth in developed industrial societies. Obviously, these people's lifestyles have far more negative influence on the environment.

Another principle states that the diversity of life forms contributes to our appreciation of their value, but again, they also have values in and of themselves. The ecological field worker (persons with first hand experience with life forms) is highly aware of this. "To the ecological field worker, the equal right to live and blossom is an intuitively clear and obvious value axiom. Unfortunately, most humans limit this care for humans only, which is a terrible 'anthropocentrism.' Modern society has done much to prevent us from relationships with non-human life and thus contributed to our own loss. Diversity improves chances of survival by means of creating new ways to live in many different forms. Deep ecology likes to reevaluate the concept of survival of the fittest to one that preaches harmonious coexistence instead killing and domination. Again, this idea is included in the context of human culture and economy. " 'Live and let live' is a more powerful ecological principle than 'Either you or me' " (EE p.135)

In order for deep ecology to be successful there needs to be a better understanding of self-realization. Typically, most people today see themselves and independent egos seeking instant pleasure and material wealth. With these kinds of goals, we are slaves to the social fads and consumerism. As a result, we cannot take time to stop and find ourselves spiritually. In order to mature and grow this way, we need to stop concerning ourselves with our own desires and start to identify with other people. This is just the beginning of self-realization. If we truly want to make huge strides, then we need to start 'meditative deep questioning' of our present culture and wisdom. Personally, I think this means people need to step back and have alternative experiences in order to gain insight. With that accomplished, people will take self-realization beyond those around them. Then they will acknowledge the species, followed by the rest of the word in all its non-human forms. "No one is saved until we are all saved." This is the main principle behind self-realization and it applies to basically everything on this earth. Once people break away from the current notion of self and find the deeper one, then carrying out the principles of deep ecology will become second nature.

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Approximate Word count = 1928
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Politics