A METAPHYSICS OF INTERSUBJECTIVITY FOR AN INTEGRAL ECOLOGY
Relevance of Teilhard and Whitehead for the vision of Laudato Sí
Keywords:
Ecocentrism, Integral Ecology, Intersubjectivity, Laudato Sí, Process metaphysics, Panentheism, Teilhard de Chardin, Whitehead A.N.Abstract
Integral ecology is a key concept in Pope Francis’ encyclical on ecology, ‘Laudato Sí. In seeking solutions to the complex environmental crisis, Pope Francis calls for an integrated approach that explainsinterrelatedness in the cosmic reality.
In this paper, I suggest that a revision and combination of the insights
of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) and Alfred North Whitehead
(1861-1947) will produce a new intersubjective relational understanding
of God, the world and the human community. This process-oriented
metaphysical notion of intersubjectivity can be explained as a balance
between multiplicity and unity, between multiple subjects of
experience and the higher-order levels of existence and activity, which
they achieve by their dynamic interaction. I propose that the notion of
intersubjectivity can lay a metaphysical foundation for the vision of an integral ecology.
Moreover, I argue that the notion of intersubjectivity helps us to repudiate the one-sided anthropocentric worldview and to embrace abalanced ecocentric worldview of reality. Finally, I suggest that an interrelated approach to the different dimensions of ecology enumerated by Francis, namely, environmental, economic, social, cultural, and human, will be a comprehensive solution towards Francis’
appeal for combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.
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