Two Environmental Frameworks PDF

HUMAN PERSON IN THE ENVIRONMENT  What is a Human Person? A human person is a living being that contains a real and existing environment to direct its own development toward fulfillment through perfect, unconditional, and infinite Truth, Love, Goodness, Beauty, and Unity, and will do so if a...

HUMAN PERSON IN THE ENVIRONMENT  What is a Human Person? A human person is a living being that contains a real and existing environment to direct its own development toward fulfillment through perfect, unconditional, and infinite Truth, Love, Goodness, Beauty, and Unity, and will do so if all the proper conditions are met.  Environment The sum total of all surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and other living things, which provide conditions for development and growth as well as of danger and damage. According to Pythagoras, ‘universe is a living embodiment of nature’s order, harmony and beauty.’ He sees our relationship with the universe involving biophilia (love of other living things) and cosmophilia (love of the universe in its wholeness). For Modern Thinker, Immanuel Kant, ‘beauty is ultimately a symbol of morality (goodness). He believes that the orderliness of nature and the harmony of nature with our faculties guide us toward a deeper religious perspective.’ The beautiful encourages us to believe that nature and humanity are part of an even bigger design.  Herbert Marcuse: Humanity had dominated nature. There can only be change if we will change our attitude towards our perception of the environment. George Herbert Mead: As human beings, we do not only have rights but duties as well. We are not only citizens of the community but we react to this community and in our reaction to it, change it. Environmental Framework How humans perceive their relationship to the Environment According to Payne (2010) there are two frameworks where humans can be related to the Environment. 1. Anthropocentric Model Based on the Anthropocentric model, humans are superior and central to the universe, thus it is human centered. Human Calculative Culture Human over/against Individualism Environments Mind Global/Technological Anthropocentric Model Humans are on the top of the Chain  The domination of humanity is linked to the domination of nature based on the anthropocentric model. An unfair or unjust utilization of the environment result to ecological crisis. From this view, it follows that human arrogance toward nature is justifiable in order to satisfy human interest. Sometimes, humans adopt an exploitative attitude whenever nature is merely considered as an instrument for one’s profit or gain. SOME EFFECTS OF ANTROPOCENTRIC MODEL STONGER EARTH TYPHOONS POLLUTION GLOBAL WARMING SOIL EROSION FAMINE 2. Ecocentric Model Ecocentric model, the ecological or relational integrity of the humans provides meaning of our morals and values and it is nature centered. Devoted to preserving the totality of Earth’s biodiversity and the functioning of it’s life-supporting system. ✓ Relational ✓ Nature ✓ Earth/Wisdom ✓ Wild ✓ Ecology ✓ Holism over/against ✓ Body humans Ecocentric Model Nature as the center and human beings are only part of the whole. There are three theories about the Ecocentric Model: Deep Ecology Social Ecology Ecofeminism  Deep Ecology ▪ is an ecological philosophy developed by Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess in the early 1970’s asserting that all asserting that all life forms have an equal right to exist, and human needs and desires have no priority over those of other organisms. ▪ Believes that the living environment should be respected and regarded as having rights to flourish, independent of its utility to humans. Social Ecology It is a critical social theory founded by American anarchist and libertarian socialist author Murray Bookchin. Conceptualized as a critique of current social, political, and anti- ecological trends, it espouses a reconstructive, ecological, communitarian, and ethical approach to society. Ecofeminism It is also called ecological feminism, branch of feminism that examines the connections between women and nature. Its name was coined by French feminist Francoise d’Eaubonne in 1974 A philosophical idea that combines feminism and ecology concerns, emphasizing that both suffer from their treatment by a male dominated society. Comes from the idea that women and nature have significant connection, since women most often have a close association with nature in many societies due to the nature of their traditional roles. Our environment is created for every humans, so you as good as one being,must take good care of nature! Remember LIFE is all about BALANCE.