scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Journal ArticleDOI

Deep Ecology as an Aesthetic Movement

01 May 1996-Environmental Values-Vol. 5, Iss: 2, pp 147-160
TL;DR: For example, this article argued that if deep ecology is interpreted as an aesthetic movement, then it is both philosophically coherent and practically adequate, and that deep ecology fails if it is meant to be a moral ethic.
Abstract: Many deep ecologists call for a 'new ecological ethic' . If this ethic is meant to be a moral ethic, then deep ecology fails. However if deep ecology is interpreted as an aesthetic movement, then it is both philosophically coherent and practically adequate.
Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, survey data is used to collect data on individuals' environmental concerns and environmental behaviors, two domains between which a tenuous relationship is often observable, and two domains can be distinguished.
Abstract: Surveys are an efficient and convenient means of collecting data on individuals’ environmental concerns and environmental behaviors, two domains between which a tenuous relationship is often observ...

447 citations


Cites background from "Deep Ecology as an Aesthetic Moveme..."

  • ...Critics of ecocentrism claim that it is too abstract and that its impractical nature prevents adherents from committing themselves to ecological policies or to environmentally correct behavior (Dobson, 1995; Lynch, 1996; Salleh, 1984)....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors distinguish between anthropocentrism and environmentalism on one hand, and ecocentricity and ecology on the other, and argue for a difference in beliefs between the two.
Abstract: Perspectives on green political thought distinguish between anthropocentrism and environmentalism on one hand, and ecocentrism and ecology on the other. Green theorists argue for a difference in ki...

63 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings show that different elicitation techniques can influence the articulation of intensity with which some values are held, and certain values are more often associated with old-growth than with other forest-age classes.
Abstract: Old-growth forests have declined significantly across the world. Decisions related to old growth are often mired in challenges of value diversity, conflict, data gaps, and resource pressures. This article describes old-growth values of citizens and groups in Nova Scotia, Canada, for integration in sustainable forest management (SFM) decision-making. The study is based on data from 76 research subjects who participated in nine field trips to forest stands. Research subjects were drawn from Aboriginal groups, environmental organizations, forestry professionals, and rural and urban publics. Diaries, group discussions, and rating sheets were used to elicit information during the field trips. Findings show that different elicitation techniques can influence the articulation of intensity with which some values are held. In addition, certain values are more often associated with old-growth than with other forest-age classes. Some values associated with old-growth are considered more important than others, and some silvicultural treatments are perceived to compromise old-growth values more than others. Demographic characteristics, such as constituency group, gender, and age, are shown to influence value priorities. Ideas on how to incorporate old-growth values into SFM decision-making are highlighted.

39 citations


Cites background from "Deep Ecology as an Aesthetic Moveme..."

  • ...This ethic is reflected in philosophies associated with deep ecology (Lynch 1996) and traditional Aboriginal teachings....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a counter-ideal of creative receptivity to basic features of the external world, or artistic objectivity, is developed. But self-expression can collapse into individualistic or anthropocentric self-involvement.
Abstract: While the idea of art as self-expression can sound old-fashioned, it remains widespread—especially if the relevant ‘selves’ can be social collectives, not just individual artists. But self-expression can collapse into individualistic or anthropocentric self-involvement. And compelling successor ideals for artists are not obvious. In this light, I develop a counter-ideal of creative receptivity to basic features of the external world, or artistic objectivity. Objective artists are not trying to express themselves or reach collective self-knowledge. However, they are also not disinterested or emotionless. They can be unmoved by personal feelings and human concerns, but they are still receptive—just attuned to the more elemental forces that creatively inspire them. I elaborate this ideal in dialogue with John Ruskin’s influential critique of the pathetic fallacy. By contextualizing Ruskin’s view vis-à-vis Romantic and Modernist poetics, post-Kantian aesthetics, modern environmental art, and contemporary theories of expressiveness, I show how it indirectly motivates my account. 1. Beyond Self-Expression? The idea of art as self-expression can seem old-fashioned, if not justifiably obsolete. At the very least, it no longer has the explicit pride of place that it did for the Romantic tradition which rose to prominence in the early 19th century, giving new priority to the ‘expressive’ artist.1 For us now, rather, the idea of self-expression has apparently been “collecting dust for some decades,” as one recent commentator puts it— in art and aesthetics, as elsewhere.2 Still, it may have been right to say, forty years ago, that “the assumption that art is an important mode of self-expression and that it is justified on this account” is “ubiquitous” in the art literature of the 20 th century.3 But this assumption has arguably been steadily losing steam ever since. On the other hand, the idea of art as creative self-expression clearly still has a firm hold on many parts of the public imagination. To begin with, it is still ubiquitous outside the cutting edge of aesthetics and art criticism. In pedagogical contexts, for instance, it remains common to view arts and crafts education as cultivating a capacity for “self† University of Michigan, Department of Philosophy; elicht@umich.edu 1 See e.g. Abrams 1953. 2 Green 2007, 3. 3 Osborne 1977, 296–297.

14 citations


Additional excerpts

  • ...69 See e.g. Naess, 1973; Naess, 1984; cf. Watson, 1983; see also Lynch, 1996. acts of artistic creation....

    [...]

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors argued that bioregionalismʼs assimilation of aspects of deep ecology, and particularly an emphasis upon cross-species identification, undermines the project in various ways.
Abstract: Bioregionalism is often presented as the politics of deep ecology, or deep ecology's social philosophy. That the ties uniting these doctrines are rarely explored can be put down to a perception amongst commentators that such links are self-evident and therefore unworthy of closer examination. By arguing that the bonds between deep ecology and bioregionalism are more tenuous than has often been assumed, this paper addresses this theoretical lacuna. There is nothing exclusive to the central tenets of deep ecology which provides us with a coherent rationale for a specifically bioregional form of decentralisation. However, deep ecology has nonetheless had an appreciable impact on bioregional thinking. In this context it is argued that bioregionalismʼs assimilation of aspects of deep ecology, and particularly an emphasis upon cross-species identification, undermines the project in various ways.

14 citations

References
More filters
Book
17 Nov 1977
TL;DR: The authors argues that our every-day moral codes are an "error theory" based on the presumption of moral facts which, he persuasively argues, don't exist, and refutation of such facts is based on their metaphysical 'queerness' and the observation of cultural relativity.
Abstract: This title presents an insight into moral skepticism of the 20th century. The author argues that our every-day moral codes are an 'error theory' based on the presumption of moral facts which, he persuasively argues, don't exist. His refutation of such facts is based on their metaphysical 'queerness' and the observation of cultural relativity.

2,093 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
Arne Naess1
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the principles of diversity, complexity, autonomy, decentralization, symbiosis, egalitarianism, and classlessness of ecology responsible policies, which are concerned only in part with pollution and resource depletion.
Abstract: Ecologically responsible policies are concerned only in part with pollution and resource depletion. There are deeper concerns which touch upon principles of diversity, complexity, autonomy, decentralization, symbiosis, egalitarianism, and classlessness.

1,745 citations

Book
01 Jan 1990
TL;DR: In the mid 1970s, the discipline of environmental philosophy/ethics (or ecophilosophy) began to flourish as discussed by the authors, which is still very much a marginal rather than a mainstream pursuit in contemporary academic philosophy.
Abstract: In 1962 Rachel Carson's Silent Spring, a book about the pollution of the environment, launched the modern -day environmental movement. The movement accelerated with t he 1972 publication of the Club of Rome's The Limits to Growth. Then, in the mid 1970s, the discipline of environmental philosophy/ethics (or ecophilosophy) began to flourish. Even today, however, "ecophilosophy is still very much a marginal rather than a mainstream pursuit in contemporary academic philosophy" (p. 9).

350 citations

Book
01 Jan 1992
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a taxonomy of the theories of value in the Green political system and the Unity of the Green Programme, as well as the principles of Green Political Action.
Abstract: Preface. Part I: Whata s New?:. 1. The Issues. 2. The Arguments. 3. The Organizations. 4. The Thesis. Part II: A Green Theory of Value: . 5. The Good and the Valuable. 6. A Taxonomy of Theories of Value. 7. History and Process as Sources of Value. 8. Naturalness as a Source of Value. 9. Humanity and Nature. 10. Green Corollaries. 11. Green Heresies. Part III: The Unity of the Green Programme:. 12. Single--issue Groups versus Catch--all Parties. 13. A Unified Moral Vision. 14. Claims of Consistency. 15. Brown Evasions. 16. Weighing Countervailing Values. 17. Compromising Green Values. Part IV:. 18. Theories of Value and Theories of Agency. 19. Principles of Green Political Action. 20. Principles of Green Party Organization. 21. Principles of Green Political Structures. 22. Conclusion. Part V: Conclusions:. 23. The Fate of Green Politics. 24. The Fate of the Earth. Appendix: The Green Political Programme. References. Index.

336 citations

Trending Questions (1)
Is intro to ecology hard?

However if deep ecology is interpreted as an aesthetic movement, then it is both philosophically coherent and practically adequate.