Deep ecology

Deep ecology is a recent philosophy or ecosophy based on a shift away from the anthropocentric bias of established environmental and green movements. The philosophy is marked by a new interpretation of "self" which deemphasizes the rationalistic duality between the human organism and its environment, thus allowing emphasis to be placed on the intrinsic value of other species, systems and processes in nature. This position leads to an ecocentric system of environmental ethics. Deep ecology describes itself as "deep" because it asks complex spiritual questions about the role of human life in the ecosphere.

Criticisms

Some critics contend that deep ecology is misanthropic, in that it advocates human extinction, or at least a large reduction in human population. Deep ecologists' views on the natural role of epidemic disease and famine have been interpreted negatively to support this position. Deep ecologists would defend themselves against charges of misanthropy by pointing out that population reduction can be achieved by lowering birth rates. They would also counter that scarcity increases value and excessively high populations decrease the value of the human individual. It should be added that a deep respect for nature includes a belief in the inherent worth of all beings that are a part of the natural world. Only those humans who are alienated from the natural world and participate in its destruction are to be opposed.

Related Topics:
Misanthropic - Population - Birth rate - Alienated - Natural world

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The political philosophy of deep ecology has been criticised as "ecofascism". In response, deep ecologists claim that they advocate a new relationship between humanity and the ecosphere, a relationship that seeks to end authoritarianism through decentralizaton, and espouse a less dominating and aggressive posture towards nature; a position that appears to be the opposite of fascism.

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Both ecofeminism and deep ecology put forward a new conceptualization of the self. Some ecofeminists, such as Marti Kheel{{fn|3}}, argue that self-realization and identification with all nature places too much emphasis on the whole, at the expense of the independent being. Ecofeminists contend that their concept of the self (as a dynamic process consisting of relations) is superior. Ecofeminists would also place more emphasis on the problem of androcentrism rather than anthropocentrism.

Related Topics:
Ecofeminism - Marti Kheel - Androcentrism - Anthropocentrism

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Social ecologists such as Murray Bookchin claim that deep ecology fails to link environmental crises with authoritarianism and hierarchy. Social ecologists believe that environmental problems are firmly rooted in the manner of human social interaction, and protest that an ecologically sustainable society could still be socially exploitative. Deep ecologists reject the argument that ecological behavior is rooted in the social paradigm (according to their view, that is an anthropocentric fallacy), and they maintain that the converse of the social ecologists' objection is also true in that it is equally possible for a socially egalitarian society to continue to exploit the Earth.

Related Topics:
Social ecologists - Murray Bookchin - Authoritarianism - Hierarchy - Egalitarian

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Deep Ecology is also criticised for trying to understand nature in human terms. A flower is said to be blossoming when it looks the nicest, a mountain is said to be great when it has been unchanged for centuries. These are human qualities given to nature, and may not represent the supposed views of the environment.

Related Topics:
Human - Environment

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Daniel Botkin{{fn|4}} has compared deep ecology unfavourably with its antithesis, the wise use movement, when he says that they both "misunderstand scientific information and then arrive at conclusions based on their misunderstanding, which are in turn used as justification for their ideologies. Both begin with an ideology and are political and social in focus." Elsewhere though (p.39) he asserts that deep ecology must be taken seriously in the debate about society and ecology as it challenges the fundamental assumptions of western philosophy.

Related Topics:
Daniel Botkin - Wise use - Western philosophy

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