Transcript DEEP & SHALLOW ECOLOGY

DEEP &
SHALLOW
ECOLOGY
Dr Riffat Haque
MSc Gender & Women Studies
13.10.2012
DEEP ECOLOGY:
Deep yes to nature & thinking of the landscape first
• Respect for Nature.
• The flourishing of nonhuman life on earth has as
much intrinsic value as the flourishing of human life.
• The value of nonhuman species is independent of
the usefulness these may have for narrow human
purposes.
• Richness of diversity of all life---valuable for all as
well as humans.
• Humans have no right to reduce this richness &
diversity– but for necessary & vital needs.
ENNVIRONMENTAL EHICAL
CODES
Ethics to treat nonhumans i.e. plants,
animal and nature in general.
Humans are self centered & selfish.
Nature must not be used as means to
human ends.
Nonhuman species have right to exist.
It is immoral to always place human
interests before the interests of the rest
of the wild world.
Deep Ecologists consider:
 Human centered environmentalism is
SHALLOW because it will tend to value
wild species, ecosystem only to the extent
that they serve human needs and
interests.
 Nature is being perceived as a resource,
as something to be used,
exploited…rather than respected.
RESPECT FOR NATURE
Paul Taylor
 We need to respect nature and engage
in practices and policies which help in
preserving physical environment so it
is beneficial for other species.
Emphasis on BASIC than to NONBASIC
INTERESTS.
Deep ecologists argue that the Shallow
ecologists are unethical.
SHALLOW ECOLOGY:
It is against pollution and resource depletion
(Joel Feinberg, John Passmore)
The concerns are confined for fellow humans and to a
narrow selection of nonhuman forms of life. Mainly the
concept serves human purposes.
The idea of RIGHTS is not applicable to what is
nonhuman.
The concept of RIGHTS & MORALITY do not apply to
nature as it is not part of moral community.
Shallow Ecologists want to respect nature not because
nature has rights or has inherent worth or good but
because such an attitude is consistent with living a rational
moral & humane life.
Destruction of nature is risk for humans –future
generations.
Nature should be preserved for human interests such as
economic, scientific, aesthetics
.
Ecofeminism
• The term Ecofeminism, coined by French
feminist Francois d’ Eaubonne in 1974,
looks at cultural and social concerns
dealing with the relationship that the
oppression of women has with the
degradation of nature. Oppression of
women and the environment have been
‘twin subordinations’, rising some 5,000
years ago with the emergence of Western
patriarchy.
Ecofeminists standpoint
• Connection between oppression of
women and oppression of nature.
• To understand this connection.
• Solutions to ecological problems must
include a feminist perspective.
• Spiritual connection of women with
earth-nature because of biological
connections.
• Ecofeminists look for nonviolent solutions
to world problems. They consider feminine
values necessary for survival in the
conditions of the world's patriarchy.
• And while ecofeminists may subscribe to
liberal, radical, or Marxist/socialist thought,
their main focus is on ecology - both of
nature and human systems.
♀ Ecofeminism:
Patriarchal society interlocking
pillars…sexism, racism, class
exploitation and environmental
destruction.
♀ Deep connection between women &
nature as reproducers & nurtures but
socially created.
Concepts of Ecofeminists
 ‘Deeper than deep Ecology: the eco-feminist
connection’. Ariel Key Sallen(1984).
 ‘Development or Mal-development’. Vandana
Shiva (1990).
 ‘Birthing Process’. Brian Swimme (1990).
 ‘Feminine Values’. Riane Eisler (1990).
 ‘Connection with Nature’. Marti Kheel (1990).
 ‘Logic of Domination’. Karan J. Warren & V.
Plumwood.
ARGUMENTS
We can’t respect nature as we respect
human species because ethics for natural
lives will make our lives impossible.
We walk over nature… great disrespect…
We manufacture & increase waste matter
…we can control pollution but can’t make
it zero.
Humans live double life, animal life &
cultural life (preservation, poetry, art…)