Blog #9

I really enjoyed finally reading Kohak's own beleifs and views regarding ecological ethics, and was surprised to find that he appreciated all the views discussed in the books. This is most apparent in Kohak's quote, "...when philosophical thought seeks to define a problem clearly and casts about for solutions, it can learn from a whole range of perspectives"(158). His beliefs were shaped by the beliefs of those before and reflects some but not all of their characteristics. Kohak explains his views, "I love this Earth with an active love in the spirit of apostle James; I rejoice in all that is and lives with a Schweitzer-like joy; I dread wanton destruction and vain perishing...That is why for me practical "flannel" ecology is the very heart of the matter...Flannel ecology is the reality testing that keeps subjectivizing approaches from narcissism" (155).

Kohak believes that flannel ecology puts into practice what other theories talk about, keeping ecology from "...sliding into ideology" (155). Flannel ecology encompasses, "The purpose of ecological thought (which) is not theory but practice, (but) forging ways of human dwelling on this Earth that would respect both its integrity and the integrity of humankind" (155). Kohak believes flannel ecology helps one to express the ideas propagated by the many theories about the preservation of the Earth, explaining to people how literally to "...tread lightly upon the Earth" (155). No longer are the theories just words, now they are deeds, and these actions can help each individual to live a more eco-friendly life.

Lastly, Kohak talked about how humans need to change two basic things to save the world on a global level: with more effective technology or with a less demanding humanity. While I agree that technology alone can not save the Earth and that over-consumption is a shallow and unfulfilling grasp at happiness, I detest Kohak's belief that humans must limit their numbers. From a statistical viewpoint, it makes sense - less demand, less product (less earth used), but I wonder if it makes sense from a moral perspective - who is Kohak to tell others how to live their lives and run their families if they do so to the best of their abilities? Rather, I ask Kohak for a different change to help humanity "...learn to love this Earth and treat it with gratitude and respect" (Kohak, 163).