Blog # 9

Rejection of man-in environment image: I agree with this philosophy and believe that we shouldn’t view ourselves as in the environment, but part of it. We are not above the environment or masters of it, but intricately connected with it.

Biospherical egalitarianism: I also agree with this concept. We should not abuse the environment, but take care of it. This includes killing only when necessary because every living entity has the right to live. This is a reason I believe in being a vegetarian. It is completely possible to thrive off a meat-free diet and has also proven to be healthier. I don’t eat meat because it’s not necessary for my survival.

Principles of diversity and symbiosis: Diversity is important because it enhances and enriches life itself. Coexisting is vital to a healthy and happy world. I don’t think survival of the fittest should be our motto as humans. Living in complex relationships with other animals and living organisms is vital to a fulfilling life and also to overcome exploitation and oppression.

Anti-class posture: I had never thought about this concept before, but now that I think about it, it’s true! A lot of the time, diversity can be derived from negative aspects of our culture, such as diversity between classes. People in different classes are given different opportunities, which is unfair. Some people gain because of other peoples’ losses. Although diversity is important, we should develop classless diversity, rather than a diversity based on oppression.

Fight against pollution and resource depletion: I know that fighting against pollution and resource depletion is important, but so are the other aspects of ecology. Fighting for these issues solely does only skim the top of deep ecology, but not everyone is going to agree with green philosophy, therefore I think if people recycle for different reasons, that’s ok too.

Complexity, not complication: I also agree with this concept. I dislike that our society is so segregated in terms of labor. Fragmentation of labor has really divided our society so that we all no longer interact with everyone, but rather with people from our own class, who are also likely to be in the same segregated job level.

Local autonomy and decentralization: I definitely believe in local economies. I think local businesses should be the main money income for towns and cities. I dislike large corporations who take advantage of third world countries for their resources and services and who treat their employees with unkindness because they can. These types of jobs are unfulfilling and empty. Large corporations have also allowed us to become ever-more-so separated from the source of our “stuff” and therefore unaware of how our decisions as consumers affect the rest of the world.

After reading “Deep Ecology”, I do think that Devall and Sessions are accurate with the outline of the Dominant Worldview and the Deep Ecology view. The dominant worldview is that we are separate from everything else around us, as well as each other. Western culture especially emphasizes the idea of the individual identity, which leaves out a vital part of our beings: the other living entities surrounding us. I think it is important to discover who we are and the ways we perceive ourselves in relation to the Whole, and those around us. Deep ecology does go beyond the “narrowly materialist scientific understanding of reality”, which is largely the dominant worldview, or perhaps, the dominant western worldview. I think deep ecology has everything to do with including the nonhuman world in regards to how we live, decisions we make, and respect for other beings, acknowledging their right to live and prosper. Something that needs to be realized in the dominant worldview is that when we harm other aspects of nature, we are essentially harming ourselves, and we need to be taken accounted for those oppressive actions. Hierarchies within humanity as well as within the environment should not exist, because we essentially all need each other. Therefore, one species cannot be better than another. I loved the phrase “simple in means, rich in ends” because I think it is so true! This is a good motto to live by because once this truth is realized, I think people could live with much more fullness and joy. Western culture likes to complicate matters. Because of our obsession with dominance, there becomes perceived boundaries: us vs. them. Once we stop regarding ourselves as isolated, separate, and higher than everything else, we can experience true satisfaction. Once society stops fostering false needs and destructive desires through the production and consumption of goods, can we realize our potentiality for peace.