Alan Drengson (1934-2022) was a Canadian philosopher and educator who served as close collaborator with Arne Naess and founding editor of The Trumpeter journal, becoming a key voice in articulating and spreading deep ecology philosophy in North America.
As Professor of Philosophy at the University of Victoria, Drengson founded The Trumpeter: Journal of Ecosophy in 1983, providing the first academic journal dedicated to deep ecology and ecophilosophy. Through decades of editorial work, he created space for diverse voices exploring relationships between philosophy, ecology, and spiritual practice.
Drengson’s collaboration with Arne Naess produced several important works, including editing collections of Naess’s writings and co-authoring explorations of ecosophy. His careful scholarship helped make Naess’s sometimes-challenging philosophy accessible to English-speaking audiences while preserving its depth and nuance.
His concept of “ecocentric consciousness” emphasized moving beyond anthropocentric perspectives to recognize intrinsic value throughout nature. Drengson argued that developing ecological self requires both philosophical understanding and lived practice - connecting intellectual work with embodied experience in wild places.
As educator, editor, and writer, Drengson bridged academic philosophy and grassroots environmental movements. His integration of rigorous scholarship with accessible communication helped establish deep ecology as legitimate field of philosophical inquiry while keeping it connected to practical concerns about ecological crisis and social transformation.
Key Concepts
- Ecosophy: Personal ecological philosophy integrating worldview, values, and practice
- Ecocentric Consciousness: Awareness recognizing intrinsic value in all nature, not just humans
- Ecological Self: Identity extending beyond ego to include wider ecological relationships
- Philosophy as Way of Life: Understanding philosophy as lived practice, not just abstract theory
Essential Works
- “The Practice of Technology: Exploring Technology, Ecophilosophy, and Spiritual Disciplines for Vital Links” (SUNY Press, 1995) - ISBN 978-0-7914-2670-8
- “The Deep Ecology Movement: An Introductory Anthology” (editor with Yuichi Inoue, North Atlantic Books, 1995) - ISBN 978-1-55643-189-3
- “Ecoforestry: The Art and Science of Sustainable Forest Use” (editor, New Society Publishers, 1997) - ISBN 978-0-86571-356-4
- “The Selected Works of Arne Naess” (co-editor with Harold Glasser, Springer, 2005)
Selected Quotes
Deep ecology is not just an intellectual movement, it’s a way of being in the world. — “The Deep Ecology Movement”
Ecosophy begins with experiencing ourselves as part of nature, not separate from it. — The Trumpeter journal
The ecological crisis is fundamentally a crisis of consciousness and values. — Public lectures
We need philosophy that connects head and heart, intellect and intuition, theory and practice. — “The Practice of Technology”
Wildness calls us back to our ecological selves, reminding us who we really are. — Environmental writings
Further Reading
Biographical Sources
- The Trumpeter journal archives - Drengson’s editorial legacy
- University of Victoria Philosophy Department records
Key Books
- The Practice of Technology (SUNY Press, 1995) - ISBN 978-0-7914-2670-8
- The Deep Ecology Movement: An Introductory Anthology edited with Yuichi Inoue (North Atlantic Books, 1995) - ISBN 978-1-55643-189-3
- The Selected Works of Arne Naess co-edited with Harold Glasser (Springer, 2005)
Related Resources
- The Trumpeter: Journal of Ecosophy archives - 40 years of deep ecology scholarship
- Foundation for Deep Ecology materials
- Arne Naess collaboration archives