ENVIORNMENTAL ETHICS TO HOLISTIC ONTOLOGY
A Naessian Approach
Keywords:
Arne Naess, Ecosophy, Ecophilosophy, Ecoself, Deep Ecology, Gestalt, Holistic Ontology, Identification, Self-RealizationAbstract
Deep ecological movement, started in 1972 by distinguished Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess, is founded on three basic principles: a scientific insight into the interrelatedness of all systems of life on Earth together with the rejection of anthropocentrism, the need of self realization, identifying with the whole, and Holistic Ontology. If we realize the universe as a self, where we find the interconnectedness of ourselves with the universe then that would involve a radical change of environmental ethics to an environmental metaphysics. That in turn would make our ways of living more consistent with the well being of life on earth. The Deep Ecology, proposed by Arne Naess helps the readers to have a holistic approach to our mother earth and to the environment.
References
George Sessions, Deep Ecology for the 21st Century, Boston: Shambahala Publications, 1995, 26.
Arne Naess, Ecology, Community and Life Style, Cambridge: Cambridge University Publication, 1989, 36.
Eric Katz, Beneath the Surface, London: MIT Press, 2000, 16.
Arne Naess, “The Deep Ecological Movement: Some Philosophical Aspects,” Philosophical Enquiry, Vol. 8, 1986, 19.
Naess, “The Deep Ecological Movement,” <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Apron_diagram.png> (9 October, 2014).
Michael E. Zimmerman, “Deep Ecological Movement,” in Environmental Philosophy: From Animal Rights to Radical Ecology, Herb Klein, ed., New York: Pearson-Prentice Hall, 1993, 206.
The basic platform has remained virtually unchanged since 1984, although statements 4 and 5 are often reversed. This is the version which appears in Naess’ Ecology, Community and Lifestyle, D. Rothenberg, trans., New York: Cambridge University Press, 1989, 89.
Arne Naess, Deep Ecology, San Diego: Avant Books, 1985, 216.
A. Hannay, “Norwegian Philosophy,” in Ted Honderich. ed., The Oxford Companion to Philosophy, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1995, 627.
