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The document discusses the history and evolution of environmental philosophy. It traces how Western thought developed an anthropocentric view that nature exists for human use, while Eastern religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism emphasized humanity's interconnectedness with nature. In the modern era, thinkers and activists like Leopold, Carson, and the Brundtland Commission helped shift attitudes towards recognizing humanity's responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.
The document discusses the history and evolution of environmental philosophy. It traces how Western thought developed an anthropocentric view that nature exists for human use, while Eastern religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism emphasized humanity's interconnectedness with nature. In the modern era, thinkers and activists like Leopold, Carson, and the Brundtland Commission helped shift attitudes towards recognizing humanity's responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.
The document discusses the history and evolution of environmental philosophy. It traces how Western thought developed an anthropocentric view that nature exists for human use, while Eastern religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism emphasized humanity's interconnectedness with nature. In the modern era, thinkers and activists like Leopold, Carson, and the Brundtland Commission helped shift attitudes towards recognizing humanity's responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.
Librarian & Asst. Professor, Department of Philosophy Moolji Jaitha College, Jalgaon, 425002 Maharashtra, India Environmental philosophy Studies the humans place within the natural environment and about the human - environment relationship. Is of recent origin. Man is leaving indelible ecological footprints. Nowhere in the human history human beings were forced to look at the environment with an attitude to protect it! what are the causes for this state of affairs? Is it the unrestrained scientific advancement. is it in the very wrong values we have been practicing as humans under one modern civilization? Why have we not heard of such plight of nature in all years before this present civilization? ANTHROPOCENTRIC ATTITUDE OF THE WEST Hebrew Bible carved the Semitic culture and was a source book for inspiration for worlds two great religions Judaism and Christianity. Aristotle (Politics, Bk. 1, Ch. 8) maintains that nature has made all things specifically for the sake of man and that the value of non-human things in nature is merely instrumental and not intrinsic. Man is the measure of all things advocated the Greek philosopher Protagoras. The life is viewed as a one time opportunity given to the human beings by the creator and so filling this life with as many things as possible has became the sole objective. Every object is viewed as a source of pleasure for the human beings and this approach led to the exploitation of every natural resource. The Eco-Centric view of Eastern Religions Hinduism considers man as only a cog in the wheel of creation. Puranas describe bhoota bali as the duty of a grihasta. Pantheistic view. In fact the ultimate object of human life is to realize the unitary nature of the whole creation. Man has only duties and has no rights whatsoever over others. Concept of rna. For a Hindu, his acts of cutting, winnowing, pounding, sweeping as part of his life as a householder result in killing of living creatures and so he is expected to perform acts of expiation. ahimsa or non-violence is the supreme dharma. Life is meaningful only when it is restrained and well directed not when it is given unrestrained freedom. Aparigraha or non-hoarding is another strongly recommended trait. The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by how animals are treated- Mahatma Gandhi. This approach of Hindus automatically safeguarded their surrounding environment. Buddhism and Jainism are founded on the building block of non-injury to any creature. Eastern Religions For Buddhists, the highest goal is to be a bodhisattva a compassionate being who is ever ready to sacrifice his own life for causing happiness to other living creatures. A Jina would even cover his mouth with cloth and eat before the sunset lest he may cause injury to micro- organisms. Taoism of China relies on being part of the great flow of the nature and living in tandem with the creation. Confucianism also advocated similar principles and over indulgence is despised. Shintoism of Japan and Bon religion of Tibet also are nature based religions that preached such values that are conducive for the co-existence of all forms of creation. Renaissance in Eco-philosophy Romantic poets of 18th and 19th century that included Shelley, Keats and Wordsworth were the forerunners of Eco philosophy. Return to nature was the clarion call given by Rousseau. In 1870 Ernest Haeckel, a German Zoologist who coined the term ecology to signify the investigation of the total relations of the (human) animal both to its organic and inorganic environment. Germination of Eco-ethical ideas Aldo Leopolds A Sand County Almanac in 1949 : A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise. This book even today, serves as one of the cornerstones for modern conservation science, policy, and ethics. We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect....A land ethic, then, reflects the existence of an ecological conscience, and this in turn reflects a conviction of individual responsibility for the health of land. Other Significant Influences Rachael Carson in 1962 authored a book titled Silent Spring. Mrs. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Prime Minister of Norway headed world commission of world environment and development. In 1987, under her leadership, Brundtland commission report titled Our Common Future was published that introduced sustainable development as a concept. Shifting Scenario Various governments looked at ecology as a permanent economy. Biodiversity act promulgated by various governments across the globe declares all organisms have equal rights to live and made it a legally sanctified proposition. Some Recent Trends in Eco-philosophy Eco-Centrism Earth First Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess introduced the terms deep ecology and shallow ecology. Eco-Humanism Eco-Feminism Eco-Socialism CONCLUSION We dont inherit the earth the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.