In a deep concern for our planet, and recognizing the urgency of the changes happening, I feel compelled to share thoughts as part of our shared duty to safeguard the planet for future generations. Tinkering with ideas and learning from some of the best thinking out there; the deeper I dive, the clearer it becomes: merely reducing our impact won’t cut it. We’re on the brink of another revolution (probably greater than the undustrial revolution), with generative AI shaking up everything we’ve known since then. Now, there’s a new fear: the looming specter of Earth’s destruction, etched by the scars of our past industrial endeavors. I’m penning this series as my ode to our generous Earth, vowing to actively contribute to its regeneration. This writing is a call to arms for all who care about the future of our planet—inspiring each other to rethink, reconnect, and regenerate. Join me on this adventure as we rewrite our relationship with nature, critiquing our current path while igniting hope for a brighter tomorrow.
Part 1-Dualism and the Divide Between Humanity & Nature
The term’ eco-philosophy,’ also known as Ecosophy, holds a profound significance in our quest for ecological balance. Coined by Félix Guattari, a French post-structuralist philosopher and psychoanalyst, and Arne Næss, a Norwegian father of deep ecology1, this concept is more relevant than ever, guiding our actions towards achieving equilibrium in our world.
We are about to start a journey of exploration and introspection that seeks to redefine our understanding of humanity’s place within the web of life. Through the lens of eco-philosophy, we will unravel the threads of dualism, challenge assumptions of dominance, and embrace the intricate dance between humans and microbes.
René Descartes, often considered the father of modern philosophy, famously declared, “Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”). This statement epitomizes Descartes’ emphasis on the human mind as the foundation of knowledge and existence. His philosophy promoted dualism, the idea that the mind and body are distinct substances. This dualistic perspective led to the conceptual separation of humans from nature, positioning humans as rational, autonomous beings different from the natural world.
Descartes’ legacy gave rise to the concept of dualism, where mind and body, spirit and flesh are viewed as separate entities. This idea has led to the belief that humans are the masters of their environment, detached from the natural world. Western philosophy has strengthened this separation and echoed the sentiments of Francis Bacon, who encouraged humanity to conquer and exploit nature for its own benefit. However, as our world knowledge grows, we see this perspective’s flaws. We now hear a chorus of voices calling for a shift in outlook and rethinking humanity’s relationship with the Earth.
Yet, the echoes of dualism linger, casting shadows upon our path and fostering a sense of “otherness” between humanity and the natural world. This illusion of separation fosters indifference, allowing a sense of superiority among humans, who may view themselves as distinct and superior to the rest of the natural world. The body is nature and can be seen as our mind’s point of connection with the natural. This settles into a non-dualistic sense of interconnectedness when we understand that separated mind/body/nature is a misinterpretation stemming from labeling and differentiating without understanding the integral relationships between all.
However, this separation between humans and nature and the elevation of human supremacy has contributed to various contemporary crises, including environmental degradation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. By viewing nature as something to be conquered and exploited, humans have disrupted delicate ecosystems, causing irreversible harm to the planet and jeopardizing our well-being.
This sense of “othering” can lead to a lack of empathy and care toward non-human entities and ecosystems. Humans may perceive themselves as inherently different and, therefore, superior to other beings in nature, which can justify the exploitation, manipulation, or disregard of natural systems and non-human life forms.
This “othering” can contribute to the perception of nature as something to be conquered or controlled rather than something to be respected and coexisted with. By positioning humans as separate and superior to nature, dualistic frameworks can reinforce a mindset of domination and exploitation rather than stewardship and harmony with the environment.
The promotion of human dominion over nature in Western philosophy has influenced our relationship with the environment through Anthropocentrism. Anthropocentrism refers to a worldview that places human beings at the center entities, around which all other beings revolve. This promotion of human dominion over nature in Western philosophy has dramatically influenced our relationship with the environment, and prioritized human interests, values, and welfare above all else. As a result, it provided the philosophical substrate for the Industrial Revolution. It fast-forwarded the technological mastery, prioritizing human consumption and economic growth over environmental concerns, and elevated human desires above those of other living beings and ecosystems. Unfortunately, this mindset has allowed us to precisely control and exploit the natural world at a higher speed, leading to the degradation of ecosystems globally.
In recent years, and with the advent of another revolution, which is characterized by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI), humans have a growing sense of apprehension. The AI revolution is projected to impact us in ways magnitudes greater than previous Industrial Revolutions. This anthropocentric fear stems from the perception that AI threatens to erode our longstanding position as the focal point of existence. As AI technologies become increasingly sophisticated and capable of outperforming humans in various tasks, there is a concern that our dominance over nature and our specialness, established through technological mastery, may be challenged. The greater threat is existential: that AI may intentionally or inadvertently supplant humanity altogether.
On the other hand, it’s vital to pay attention to the technocratic concept born from our technological prowess. This perspective emphasizes technical expertise in decision-making, often favoring efficiency over broader ethical or ecological concerns. While technology holds promise for tackling environmental issues, the technocratic approach can oversimplify complex ecosystems and communities, completely missing the wholistic nature of profoundly complex interdependent systems. The technocratic worldview is closely linked to capitalism, where profit-driven incentives can reinforce its mindset and prioritize profit over the highest good: environmental and social well-being, thereby exacerbating inequalities and creating unintended side effects. Critiques of capitalism often intersect with discussions about the technocratic worldview, highlighting its impact on environmental and social dynamics.
The representation of the technocratic worldview adds a critical dimension to the discussion on humanity’s relationship with nature. It manifests in the behavior of wealthy elites who, in anticipation of societal, environmental, or AI (Terminator, Matrix, Leave the World Behind) collapse, invest in creating extravagant bunkers and space colonization projects. This trend, highlighted in Douglas Rushkoff’s book Survival of the Richest: Escape Fantasies of the Tech Billionaires, exemplifies a profound disconnection from nature and the people they profit from. It reveals a preference for technological solutions to escape earthbound problems and selfish isolation rather than problem-solving for all and engaging with the innate self-healing properties of our natural environment.
Rushkoff’s observations serve as a stark critique of the ethical dilemmas posed by an over-reliance on technological dominance, profit, and human extremism (radical views or actions taken by humans, often driven by a sense of superiority, dominance, or entitlement over nature and other living beings), especially in times of ecological and societal crises. He urges a reconsideration of our place in the world, advocating for a shift away from escapist fantasies towards a vision of humanity that is more holistic and inclusive. By acknowledging our interconnectedness with nature, one another, and the broader ecosystem, we can begin to address the challenges of the Anthropocene. This approach emphasizes the necessity of overcoming the illusion of separateness, advocating for the creation of meaningful connections that can lead us towards a more equitable future.
Let us now explore the multifaceted challenges posed by Anthropocentric practices and their far-reaching consequences.
Exploring ANTHROPOCENE, the Impact of Human Dominance and Overconsumption on Environmental Crisis
The Anthropocene era, characterized by humanity's profound impact on Earth's geological record, remains a topic of debate among scientists. Despite calls for its recognition as a distinct epoch, a recent vote by geologists declined to designate it as such, ...
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Key Takeaways OF PART 1:
Challenging Dualism: The concept of dualism has perpetuated the separation between humanity and nature, contributing to exploitation and ecological crises.
Questioning Anthropocentrism: Our anthropocentric worldview has prioritized human interests at the expense of the environment, leading to ecosystem imbalances.
Examining Technocratic: Technological advancements, driven by profit motives, have worsened environmental issues, highlighting the need to reevaluate our approach.
Recognizing the Impact of Anthropocentrism: Pollution, urbanization, overconsumption, and climate change are urgent challenges stemming from human dominance over the planet.
Embracing Change, Urging a Paradigm Shift: Through eco-philosophy, we can forge a new path that emphasizes interconnectedness and fosters a harmonious relationship with nature.In Part 2, coming soon, we explore alternatives to our human-centric mindset. Stay tuned for “Looking into ourselves as integral parts of Earth's ecosystem, embracing regenerative thinking for the sake of future generations” coming your way.
Thank you,
archiSCENTer Journal
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