This ethical background lead Naess to suggest that the solution to ecological crisis lay in a radical change in perspective away from an anthropocentric world view, rather than technological fixes.
“All living beings have intrinsic value.” – Arne Naess
In North America, Aldo Leopold’s land ethic had a deep influence, extending moral consideration to soils, waters, and biotic communities. Ecophilosophy continued to develop in the 1970s and 80’s through the work of thinkers such as George Sessions coauthor with Arne Naess of the Deep Ecology Platform. Ecofeminist philosopher Val Plumwood enriched this tradition by revealing how hierarchical dualisms enable both environmental destruction and social oppression.
“Deep ecology asks for a radical rethinking of values, not only technology.” – Arne Naess
An engaged movement
“Care flows naturally if the self is widened and deepened so that protection of free nature is felt and conceived of as protection of our very selves.” - Arne Naess
Naess was also inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s approach to non-violent activism - the Satyagraha or “truth holders” movement. With its foundations in the non-dual spiritual traditions of North India, these perspectives connected well with Spinoza’s almost pantheistic approach, and created a firm foundation of engagement in eco-philosophy to complement the underlying theory. In this way “Deep Ecology” also refers to an approach to environmentalism, echoing the use of “ecology” in the European context to refer to a social and political movement as well as a science of living systems. In demonstration of this aspect, Naess himself was involved in direct actions, for example in defence of Norways rivers from the damage wrought by damming for hydroelectric schemes.
A therapeutic process
“We must find and develop therapies which heal our relations with the widest community, that of all living beings.” – Arne Naess
From the outset, Naess also recognised the inner work required to bring about such a radical shift in perception. He called for a environmental movement aimed at “healing the perceived separation between humans and nature”, which he saw as the root cause of our ecological crisis. Beginning with the seminal book Thinking like a Mountain, Towards a Council of All Beings these group processes have been especially developed through the work of his coauthors on this book; Joanna Macy, John Seed, and Pat Fleming
Indigenous perspectives offer essential contributions often predating and informing contemporary movements. Robin Wall Kimmerer, Ailton Krenak, Tyson Yunkaporta, and Bayo Akomolafe demonstrate how traditional ecological knowledge represents sophisticated systems thinking developed over millennia of sustainable living, challenging colonial narratives that dismissed such wisdom as primitive.
John Seed is an Australian environmental activist who co-created the Council of All Beings practice …
Quotes
“All living beings have intrinsic value.” – Arne Naess
Source: Ecology, Community and Lifestyle
“We must find and develop therapies which heal our relations with the widest community, that of all living beings.” – Arne Naess
Source: Ecology, Community and Lifestyle
“Deep ecology asks for a radical rethinking of values, not only technology.” – Arne Naess
Source: Ecology, Community and Lifestyle
“Identification, not moralizing, often leads to beautiful actions.” – Arne Naess
Source: Ecology, Community and Lifestyle
“Self-realization means widening the self: identification with a larger Self.” – Arne Naess
Source: Ecology, Community and Lifestyle
“The ultimate aims of deep ecology can be summarized in a simple imperative: maximize self-realization! In other words, maximize our potential as living beings. We need beings to awaken.” – Arne Naess
Source: Ecology, Community and Lifestyle
Writings
Through deep experience, deep questioning and deep commitment emerges deep ecology
By Stephan Harding *
IN THE 1960s, HAVING read Rachel Carson’s book, Silent Spring, Arne Naess was moved to apply his formidable philosophical skills to understanding the ecological crisis and its resolution. Since becoming the youngest-ever professor of philosophy at the University of Oslo whilst still in his twenties, Arne Naess has revealed his brilliance by studying and writing extensively in many fields, …
A recent posthumous release from the not-for profit publisher Parralax Press: “Zen and The Art of Saving The Planet“. This book is a gem, filled with Thich Nhat Hanh’s beautiful meditations, inspiring stories and experiences from his own life of activism and engagement. It is compiled from talks and teachings given by Thich Nhat Hanh during his life, framed around a reimagining of the “five mindfulness training” of the Plum Village tradition. It includes commentary from Sister True Dedication, …
“An enduring classic of the environmental movement, Joanna Macy’s poetic, groundbreaking call to action is poised to inspire a new generation“
https://www.parallax.org/product/world-as-lover-world-as-self-a-guide-to-living-fully-in-turbulent-times/#product-content
Parallax press has released a 30th anniversary edition of Joanna Macy’s important book, outlining her approach to practices for engaging with the global ecological situation.
It’s official: humanity is in crisis. Facing the magnitude …
“The deep ecology movement, which began with Arne Naess’ introduction of the term in 1972, is compared with other movements for social responsibility that developed in the 20th century. The paper discusses Naess’ cross-cultural approach to characterizing grass-roots movements via platform principles that can be supported from a diversity of cultures, worldviews, and personal philosophies, and explains his use of “ecosophy.” The deep ecology movement’s relationship with ecopsychology, …
The challenges we face can be difficult to even think about. Climate change, pandemic uncertainty, extreme inequality, economic upheaval, and mass extinction together create a planetary emergency of overwhelming proportions. Active Hope shows us how to strengthen our capacity to face this crisis so that we can respond with unexpected resilience and creative power. Drawing on decades of teaching an empowerment approach know as the Work that Reconnects, the authors guide us through a …
“The emergence of ecologists from their former relative obscurity marks a turning point in our scientific communities. Their message, however, is twisted and misused. A shallow, but currently rather powerful movement, and a deep, but less influential movement compete for our attention” - Arne Naess
In this seminal essay, Arne Naess coins the term Deep Ecology, and outlines its distinction from other forms of ecological distinction.
See for an embedded version of the essay visit …
