Deep Ecology

Deep Ecology Deep ecology was a term coined by Arne Naess, a Norwegian philosopher in the early 1970s. Since then, it has also been referred to as ‘ecocentrism’. For Deep ecology, the environmental crisis is, at its center, a crisis of consciences. A change in the way we understand and relate to nature is the top priority for addressing the environmental crisis. Deep ecologist seeks major reductions in human arrogance when it comes to dealing with the natural world. According to Eckersley the most powerful assumptions of deep ecology are four fold. First, ecocentic argue that all being, human and non humans, posses intrinsic value. Second major ecocentric assumption is that all beings are of equal value: ‘that there are no “higher” and “lower” life forms in nature’. Third, there are the central principles of interconnectedness. Finally, ecocentric often argue that the earth is finite in its carrying capacity, and that there are too many people on the planet. According to Devall and Sessions, “the idea is to cultivate a deep consciousness and awareness of organic unity, of the holistic nature of the ecological webs in which every individual is enmeshed”. According to Warwick Fox advocates a “transpersonal ecology” which is a psychological condition of identification and care for other beings, ecosystems and nature in its entirety. Deep ecologist value species, populations and ecosystems, not just individual creatures.