1. Roots of ecophilosophy and environmental ethics By Prof. dr. G. Verstraeten University of Malawi University of Congo

2. Introduction What inspires a “green “sympathy?What inspires a “green “sympathy? environmentenvironment animal wellnessanimal wellness the “green party”the “green party” ecology as new way of lifeecology as new way of life

3. Environment: reformism (institutes, environmental studies as applied science, Kyoto, CO2 and CH4- production, raise of sea levelEnvironment: reformism (institutes, environmental studies as applied science, Kyoto, CO2 and CH4- production, raise of sea level Ecology: more revolutionaryEcology: more revolutionary What is common?: the wellspring is commonWhat is common?: the wellspring is common green commitment is “pre-intellectual”green commitment is “pre-intellectual” green commitment is “pre-rationalgreen commitment is “pre-rational

4. conclusion: ecology and positive attitude with respect to nature is a non-objective disposition of human mind because nature was producing a sensation of horror (places of witchcraft, dwarfs and giants) andnature was producing a sensation of horror (places of witchcraft, dwarfs and giants) and progress in the 18th century was identified by rational action and victory of nature (decease, civil engineering) by humanityprogress in the 18th century was identified by rational action and victory of nature (decease, civil engineering) by humanity

5. Romantics: the first broadcast expression of an ecological impulse Reaction against rationality of AufklärungReaction against rationality of Aufklärung Kant: autonomy of rationality Herder: priority to immediate experience Romantics is cultural nationalistic reaction against cosmopolitism and unifying standards of live on the whole planetRomantics is cultural nationalistic reaction against cosmopolitism and unifying standards of live on the whole planet Romantics cross all political institutes, religions and governments ( atheism, orthodoxies, democracies,Romantics cross all political institutes, religions and governments ( atheism, orthodoxies, democracies,

6. Romantics: the first broadcast expression of an ecological impulse Romantics is a reaction against the Aufklärungsidea that technology rules nature by human handRomantics is a reaction against the Aufklärungsidea that technology rules nature by human hand On the contrary: mankind participates on natureOn the contrary: mankind participates on nature Consequences: Romantics pushed adversaries of rationalism to Arts and to nationalistic totalitarism (Nazism)Consequences: Romantics pushed adversaries of rationalism to Arts and to nationalistic totalitarism (Nazism)

7. American Romantics (19-th century) Significant influence of religion, particularly Presbyterian ChurchSignificant influence of religion, particularly Presbyterian Church Emmerson: intuitive insight to be overwhelmed by God and His CreationEmmerson: intuitive insight to be overwhelmed by God and His Creation Thoreau: : back to natural simplicity to discover a new individual lifeThoreau: : back to natural simplicity to discover a new individual life Features: extreme individualism and personal salvation (extreme conservatism and nation as embodied common historical and human wisdom (see Nazism))Features: extreme individualism and personal salvation (extreme conservatism and nation as embodied common historical and human wisdom (see Nazism))

8. What about ecology of 20th century? holistic ecology instead of extreme individualism (ecocentrism and bio-centrismholistic ecology instead of extreme individualism (ecocentrism and bio-centrism priority to future instead of history Naess deep ecologypriority to future instead of history Naess deep ecology Ecology as science instead of natural lifeEcology as science instead of natural life globalization instead of conservative nationalism (political ecology)globalization instead of conservative nationalism (political ecology)

9. Maintaining Space for other Life nature was evil’s kingdomnature was evil’s kingdom breakpoint: Rousseau with ‘noble savage’ and perfect naturebreakpoint: Rousseau with ‘noble savage’ and perfect nature sometimes place of salvation: see Moses in the desert of Sinaïsometimes place of salvation: see Moses in the desert of Sinaï Muir (Calvinist vicar) fund Yellow Stone ParkMuir (Calvinist vicar) fund Yellow Stone Park Inspired byInspired by ancient mother love to natureancient mother love to nature virtue of wilderness and religion conjointvirtue of wilderness and religion conjoint Pinchot: call for wise managementPinchot: call for wise management

10. Aldo Leopold (landethics) ecological conscienceecological conscience a thing is right when I tend to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic communitya thing is right when I tend to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community landethics enlarge the ethical communitylandethics enlarge the ethical community

11. Wilderness and the present-day environment movement 1962: Rachel Carson : ‘Silent Spring’ new insight1962: Rachel Carson : ‘Silent Spring’ new insight what is the influence of pesticides instead ofwhat is the influence of pesticides instead of what is the impact of vanishing habitation on wildlifewhat is the impact of vanishing habitation on wildlife nature becomes worthy ‘an sich’ not only ‘für sich’ (intrinsic value versus instrumental value)nature becomes worthy ‘an sich’ not only ‘für sich’ (intrinsic value versus instrumental value) Phenomenology: nature in relation to phenomenological relations. The latter gives the former content and meaning Devall, Sessions, Fox. this is the core of ecocentrismPhenomenology: nature in relation to phenomenological relations. The latter gives the former content and meaning Devall, Sessions, Fox. this is the core of ecocentrism

12. Some problems including the question of the construction of nature 1.Wilderness is not without human activity - What is living in harmony with nature???? Samen, Aboriginals????? - Nature without human activity - Passmore will speak about environment 2.cultural relativism produces also relativism about conception of nature 3.End of Nature : culture changes nature 4.what with Central Park, London Park: what with animals in town?

13. Ecofeminism Patriarchy: value hierarchical thinking search for powerPatriarchy: value hierarchical thinking search for power Dual societyDual society ColonizationColonization Asic idea: parallel in men’s thinking between their ‘rights’ to exploit nature and the way how they use and handle with womenAsic idea: parallel in men’s thinking between their ‘rights’ to exploit nature and the way how they use and handle with women

14. Ecofeminism Woman: primitive like nature to be dominated by men and technologyWoman: primitive like nature to be dominated by men and technology See mechanical torture of women to let them confess to be witchesSee mechanical torture of women to let them confess to be witches As men dominate nature with technologyAs men dominate nature with technology Cfr mother earth: so we are like children and we ask for human wisdom embodied by a by men dominated state (cfr Nazism)Cfr mother earth: so we are like children and we ask for human wisdom embodied by a by men dominated state (cfr Nazism) But I am the fastest man on the planet (Howard Hughs)But I am the fastest man on the planet (Howard Hughs)

15. Survey of Ecophilosophy Green, nature,humanity

16. Taking shape in the 70thies Hardin : tragedy of the commonsHardin : tragedy of the commons property in commonproperty in common democratic libertydemocratic liberty Naess (influences from Gandi and Spinoza)Naess (influences from Gandi and Spinoza) shallow ecologyshallow ecology deep ecologydeep ecology

17. 1980 and later Murray Bookchin: social anarchism (eighties)Murray Bookchin: social anarchism (eighties) Biocentrism TaylorBiocentrism Taylor Ecocentrism Rolston IIIEcocentrism Rolston III Land ethics Baird CallicottLand ethics Baird Callicott Bioregionalism Bookchin and othersBioregionalism Bookchin and others Regan Singer animal wellness (eighties)Regan Singer animal wellness (eighties)

18. Headlines: Theory of power, derivated ethicsTheory of power, derivated ethics Ecocentric axiology search for ground of valueEcocentric axiology search for ground of value Ecocentrism rejecting value-based thinkingEcocentrism rejecting value-based thinking Ethical system, widening the scope of moral subjectivity but retaining focus upon the individual as the moral unit (Rolston)Ethical system, widening the scope of moral subjectivity but retaining focus upon the individual as the moral unit (Rolston) Cathedral argument: wilderness source of innovation, moral renewal, esthetical happinessCathedral argument: wilderness source of innovation, moral renewal, esthetical happiness Wilderness is subject for scientific research in order to understand intrinsic interdependenciesWilderness is subject for scientific research in order to understand intrinsic interdependencies Special: Fox and RodmanSpecial: Fox and Rodman

19. Taxonomy of environmental thought Rodman Resource conservation : shallow ecology, non- normative, technicalResource conservation : shallow ecology, non- normative, technical Wilderness preservation Muir nature as holy placeWilderness preservation Muir nature as holy place Moral extensions: sentientism; intrinsic value of sentience, intelligence or consciousness (Singer)Moral extensions: sentientism; intrinsic value of sentience, intelligence or consciousness (Singer) Ecological sensibility complex of perceptions, attitudes and judgments which constitute a disposition to appropriate conduct----------- imply intrinsic valueEcological sensibility complex of perceptions, attitudes and judgments which constitute a disposition to appropriate conduct----------- imply intrinsic value

20. Warwick Fox Anthropocentric approachAnthropocentric approach unrestrained exploitation and expansion (nature as instrument)unrestrained exploitation and expansion (nature as instrument) criticism of human exclusive interestcriticism of human exclusive interest intrinsic worthyintrinsic worthy worthy to human endsworthy to human ends resource preservation of non-human world = ecocentrismresource preservation of non-human world = ecocentrism

21. Axiology just sentence just interestjust sentence just interest cell based life: priority of some factscell based life: priority of some facts autopoiesis preservation of bio organism (biocentrism of Taylor)autopoiesis preservation of bio organism (biocentrism of Taylor) species or individual?????species or individual????? – Ecosphere – Cosmic purpose Consequences: transpersonal identification in order to handle nature spontaneously as human beings

22. Animal liberation rights Singer:Singer: –Sentientism and utilitarian –Self-consciousness and producing language –Problem : what to do in case of head damage and low I.Q.???? ReganRegan –Individual animals are subject to rights –Right to explore all potentialities

23. Deep ecology As method or as philosophyAs method or as philosophy Basis: Spinoza: “ all particularly is an expression in manifestation of an immanent GodBasis: Spinoza: “ all particularly is an expression in manifestation of an immanent God NaessNaess –danger of bio spherical egalitarism –local autonomy and decentralization –what are vital needs –no formulation of ethics Self-realization but relatively autonomousSelf-realization but relatively autonomous Participation to nature to avoid concept of intrinsic valueParticipation to nature to avoid concept of intrinsic value

24. Biocentric theories (Paul Taylor) Subject of lifeSubject of life Species instead of individual rightsSpecies instead of individual rights Retribution to nature in case of damageRetribution to nature in case of damage Less damageLess damage Principle of Bentham : greatest happiness of the greatest numberPrinciple of Bentham : greatest happiness of the greatest number

25. Landethics Integrity of the landIntegrity of the land The land????The land???? Place of humanity in the landPlace of humanity in the land Member of one extended familyMember of one extended family Collectivism is subject of moralityCollectivism is subject of morality

26. Ecocentrism RolstonRolston –Nature has intrinsic value and ecology has to reveal it –Hierarchy of values –Priority of responsibility

27. What about anthropocentrism? FoxFox –Ecocentrism is not anti human –All views are human views –Anthropocentrism is not human chauvinism NortonNorton –principle of convergence