Seven Principles of Deep Ecology

Understanding Extreme Environmental Philosophy

Aug 17, 2009 Sarah Spiker

Deep ecology is often misunderstood as radical environmental psychobabble. Understanding the principles of the movement can cultivate respect for this school of thought.

Deep ecology is a broad field and not all of its varieties can be captured in a single definition. However, in his 2001 essay titled "Faith, God, and Nature," Eric Katz simply defines deep ecology as a method of analyzing the human relationship with the world and environmental crisis. Arne Naess, the Norwegian philosopher who coined the term, defines deep ecology through seven basic principles.

Rejecting Anthropocentric Thought – Separation from Conservationist and Technocentrist Thought

Naess' first principle argued that individuals should rejection the human-in-environment image in favor of the relational total-field image. The most predominant school of environmental thought has leaned towards the man-centered world of conservationist tendencies. (For more information on conservationism and other types of environmentalism, see Early Environmental Curriculum.)

Essentially, Naess insists that individuals should not view the world through an anthropocentric (man-centered) lens. Instead, individuals should accept the total-field model examines the relationships between living organisms as "knots in the biospherical net." By viewing the relationships between different organisms as intrinsic, one can improve the connectivity of humans and their environment.

Biospherical Egalitarianism – Improving Equality Between Nature and Man

Biospherical Egalitarianism is often defined as the "equal right to live and blossom." This principle attempts to reinterpret the dominance of humans over their environment and promote space where all living things can prosper.

Living a lifestyle consistent with the principles of deep ecology requires individuals to sacrifice many ideals held by society, including the ideals of large houses, fossil fuel powered vehicles, and even luxuries like cruises since many of these activities negatively impact the environment and impeded other species right to live and blossom.

Environmental Symbiosis – Embracing Nature's Diversity

As part of his new green philosophy, Naess emphasized coexistence and cooperation between species of animals and plants. Instead of viewing species as mutually exclusive in development, deep ecology stresses the necessity of diversity in sustaining multiple species.

Anti-Class Posture – Decreasing Favoritism

Deep ecology favors caution and prudence in future plans for national development. In general, deep ecologists argue that means of development should not adversely effect one group at the benefit of another, especially if that disadvantage is due to economic disparities between the two groups.

Naess argues that environmental pursuits should not disadvantage one population for the benefit of another merely because the richer population has the means to control those with less affluence.

Fighting Against Resource Depletion and Pollution

Fighting resource depletion and pollution is a common conern for many types of environmentalists, but Naess indicates that a balanced view is necessary in order to separate deep and shallow ecology (such as conservationism). Deep ecologists criticize shallow ecologists and conservationists for focusing too much of their efforts on this area rather than presenting a balanced, ecological front.

Individuals should be concerned about resource depletion and pollution, but should not become overwhelmed with securing resources such as water and food that their actions sacrifice the health of fish or other animals.

Complexity Not Complication

This principle favors division of labor, pro-active integrated human action over reactionary measures, a complex economy with integrated means of living, soft technique research, and the liberal application of environmental policies.

Governments and NGOs should be pro-active in their approach to the environment by supporting new avenues of research into the environment even before issues present themselves.

Local Autonomy and Decentralization

Foods and products are now shipped across the globe at the environment's expense. Long shipping distances can generate a heavy environmental footprint in terms of oil and pollution.

To counter the impact of globalization, Naess advocates strengthening local self-government and self-sufficiency to decrease the weight of long distant dependence, a process which would increase the autonomy of local farmers and decentralize power.

Hidden Eighth Principle – Population Reduction

While these are the widely cited seven key components, an eighth component of deep ecology is the underlying belief that humans have a duty to act in a manner consistent with these philosophies, even if that requires a reduction in human population or wealth. By working with the environment and recognizing the essential role that humans have as part-and not just in-the environment, society can move itself towards a better understanding of unity in diversity.

Utilizing the principles of deep ecology, a new breed of environmentalists offer individuals a new alternative lifestyle to go green. At its core, deep ecology questions previous assumptions about man's powers and reprioritizes the way individuals live their lives.

The copyright of the article Seven Principles of Deep Ecology in Environmentalism is owned by Sarah Spiker. Permission to republish Seven Principles of Deep Ecology in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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