Deep ecology was first established by a Norwegian philosopher named Arne Næss. Næss differentiated between shallow and deep ecology primarily on the basis of a fundamental division in environmental ethics between biocentrism, the view that non-human life deserves moral consideration, and anthropocentrism, the restriction of moral value primarily or exclusively to humans (Benshirim, 2017). Næss argued that embracing principles of deep ecology is beneficial even for the “shallow”-minded ecologists because “conservation strategies are more eagerly implemented by people who love what they are conserving, and are convinced that it is intrinsically lovable” (Benshirim, 2017).
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Næss, along with American environmentalist George Sessions, developed a platform of eight organizing principles for the deep ecology social movement.
The 8 principles are:
1. “The well-being and flourishing of human and nonhuman life on Earth have value in themselves…. These values are independent of the usefulness of the nonhuman world for human purposes.”
2. “Richness and diversity…contribute to the realization of these values and are also values in themselves.”
3. “Humans have no right to reduce this richness and diversity except to satisfy vital needs.”
4. “Present human interference with the nonhuman world is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening.”
5. “The flourishing of human life and cultures is compatible with a substantial decrease of the human population. The flourishing of nonhuman life requires such a decrease.”
6. “Policies must therefore be changed…[to] affect basic economic, technological, and ideological structures.…”
7. “The ideological change is mainly that of appreciating life quality…rather than adhering to an increasingly higher standard of living.…”
8. “Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an obligation directly or indirectly to participate in the attempt to implement the necessary changes.”
In simpler terms, deep ecology argues for a spiritual change in how we identify with nature. It is based in the belief that humans must radically change their relationship to nature from one that values nature solely for its usefulness to human beings to one that recognizes that nature has an inherent value. It may also be called “ecosophy,” since it offers a definition of self that differs from the traditional notions, and sometimes has religious and mythical undertones. According to deep ecology, the self should be seen as deeply connected with and a part of nature. This has been termed the “ecological self,” representing humans acting and being in harmony with nature instead of opposed to it. When the ecological self is realized, one should abide by the norms of environmental ethics that will end abuses of nature. It is also noted that “the ecological self will practice a “biocentric egalitarianism,” in which each natural entity is held as being inherently equal to every other entity,” (Madsen, 2023). Deep ecology is distinguished from other types of environmentalism because it makes broader and more basic philosophical claims about metaphysics, epistemology, environmental ethics, and social justice.
The spiritual connection in deep ecology has also been coined “earth spirituality,” emphasizing belief systems that embrace the sentience, sacredness, and conscious agency of nature and its non-human beings. It is thus considered an anti-development or post-development belief system. The “central spiritual tenet of deep ecology is that the human species is a part of the Earth and not separate from it,” (Gaia). The notions of earth spirituality are based on the idea that the more we expand the self to identify with people, animals, and ecosystems, the more we realize ourselves. Earth spirituality has been associated with puerile fantasy due to its emphasis on treating all things as living beings with human-like qualities. This association has perpetuated the idea that “indigenous peoples are like children,” which has become a “key legitimizing assumption of development,” (Seed, 2019). In order to embrace earth spirituality, we need to “take into account well-being, integrity, and even the dignity of all beings, and not treat them as mere resources,” (Seed, 2019).
In the transition to an “ecocentric” perspective supported by deep ecology and earth spirituality, an individual must go through a process of self-realization. Human beings must no longer see themselves as individuals with solitary, independent egos. We must realize our interconnectedness with the world around us, and acknowledge the rights of nature. We cannot destroy non-human beings just for their use-value. Embracing this change in perspective and spirituality shift would lead to much less environmental degradation and exploitation.
So how do we embrace deep ecology?
A mindset shift is the biggest component of deep ecology that can be established at an individual level. We must “stop identifying with only the most recent stage of existence and get in touch with ourselves as mammals, vertebrates, or species that emerged from the rainforest,” (Seed, 2019).
We must transform our relationships with other species and our commitment to them, which will likely be an effect of the process of self-realization. We must recall our true nature, and be more considerate of the rights of nature.
The mindset shift could look something like this:
“I am protecting the rainforest” vs. “I am part of the rainforest protecting myself”
We can see the threat of extinction as an invitation to change and evolve, rather than a devastating fact we have no control over.
References
Benshirim, Zeke. “Daring to Care: Deep Ecology and Effective Popular Environmentalism.”
Sustainability at Harvard, 23 Feb. 2017, https://green.harvard.edu/news/daring-care-deep-ecology-and-effective-popular-environmentalism.
Gaia. “Deep Ecology.” DEEP ECOLOGY, http://environment-ecology.com/deep-ecology/63-deep-ecology.html#:~:text=The%20philosophy%20emphasizes%20the%20interdependent,new%20system%20of%20environmental%20ethics.
Madsen, Peter. “deep ecology”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/deep-ecology. Accessed 9 April 2023.
Seed, John. 2019. “Deep Ecology” Pluriverse: A Post-Development Dictionary. New Delhi: Tulika Books