Causes and Solutions to Our Ecological Crisis
Causes and Solutions to our Ecological Crisis
The ecological crisis is a long term threat to the earth’s well being. Throughout traditional western views there is a pattern of exploitation that cannot be ignored, because it has put the earth and its inhabitants in a precarious position. The west has completely removed any sacred meaning from nature; there is no longer any relationship between humans, spirits, and the natural aspects of the planet. In addition to this, the anthropocentric view that the west holds has brought about the ecological degradation of our planet; viewing nature as something to be controlled and dominated, rather than respected and honored.
The lack of a relationship between nature and western religion has caused an extreme disconnect, and therefore, a view of the natural world as something that should not be considered sacred or divine. As Kinsley states this view has, “…laid the foundation for [the] scientific and technological manipulation of nature” (104). Without the notion that our surroundings are just as significant and alive as humans are, we are unable to have the same respect for our natural surroundings that we do for the technological advancements that we use to exploit it. Instead of living symbiotically, this view that nature is spiritually insignificant has caused the western world to, “…see nature as completely nonsacred and passive, fit to be controlled and manipulated by human beings” (Kinsley 104).
The demystification of nature directly leads into the second idea of anthropocentrism. This view makes nature and humankind dichotomous; instead symbiotic or working together, western religion, “…sets human beings against nature, makes human beings superior to, and in control of, nature” (Kinsley 104). The exploitation of our planet is validated because western religion and society views our planet as something that was, “…created primarily, if not exclusively, for humankind” (Kinsley 105). The ideology that humankind is
The ecological crisis is a long term threat to the earth’s well being. Throughout traditional western views there is a pattern of exploitation that cannot be ignored, because it has put the earth and its inhabitants in a precarious position. The west has completely removed any sacred meaning from nature; there is no longer any relationship between humans, spirits, and the natural aspects of the planet. In addition to this, the anthropocentric view that the west holds has brought about the ecological degradation of our planet; viewing nature as something to be controlled and dominated, rather than respected and honored.
The lack of a relationship between nature and western religion has caused an extreme disconnect, and therefore, a view of the natural world as something that should not be considered sacred or divine. As Kinsley states this view has, “…laid the foundation for [the] scientific and technological manipulation of nature” (104). Without the notion that our surroundings are just as significant and alive as humans are, we are unable to have the same respect for our natural surroundings that we do for the technological advancements that we use to exploit it. Instead of living symbiotically, this view that nature is spiritually insignificant has caused the western world to, “…see nature as completely nonsacred and passive, fit to be controlled and manipulated by human beings” (Kinsley 104).
The demystification of nature directly leads into the second idea of anthropocentrism. This view makes nature and humankind dichotomous; instead symbiotic or working together, western religion, “…sets human beings against nature, makes human beings superior to, and in control of, nature” (Kinsley 104). The exploitation of our planet is validated because western religion and society views our planet as something that was, “…created primarily, if not exclusively, for humankind” (Kinsley 105). The ideology that humankind is