Blog 5- Deep Ecology

In this section, Kohak introduces how to face the problems of our environment. We are looking at how best to confront the evils that are in the world. He emphasizes the fact that we have to approach ecological ethics from both a scientific and value viewpoint.

I really enjoyed reading Arnae Neass’ description of “depth” ecology. I thought that his conditions that defined “depth” were very valid.  I agree that we, as individuals, have to realize that we are not the only ones that matter and that our every action has an ecological consequence. For example, something as simple as starting your car has effects on the environment. In addition, I thought it was interesting that he rejected superiority among living things. I also agree with this. How can you say that one living thing is more important than another? We are all deserved of life, I just think that what differs is our individual purposes.

The line that struck me the most while reading this was “life is not about cruelty to the other but rejoicing in living.” Nature is a system of conflicts as a result of free will. I believe, undoubtedly, that humans are the ones with ill will and are the source of the problems we are facing today. I thought it was interesting that alienation from nature is the root source of what is causing our crisis.

The bottom line, however, is that our "shallow" ecology of utiizing technology to create fixes for our environmental problems is only temporary and a cover-up for the true problems. I believe that cutting right to the problem and not trying to solve the problem by creating other problems is critical. What Naess describes is a whole lifestyle and attitude change. That is exactly what is needed.