The BTH MSLS Network

Ecocentrism is a philosophy that recognizes that the ecosphere, rather than any individual organism, is the source and support of all life and as such advises a holistic and eco-centric approach to government, industry, and individual.  The root of "eco" is "home," and the ecosphere is the home-sphere. Ecocentrism puts the ecosphere first. It recognizes the importance of the environment and the web of life and realizes that no single organism is more important than another. Ecocentrism does not even distinguish between animate life and inanimate matter or process. The entire "sphere" of life is important.  ( from Wikipedia - another fantastic site on the web)

Ecocentrisms primary characteristic is that this outlook, this world view, applies to everyone regardless of location, education, age or faith.  It restrains the sense of tribe or indvidual and makes clear that we - each of us - is embedded within the web of life and beholden to the processes of biology.  Why is this important or even critical? Because so many human beings find their personal faith or religion to be a resource of primary inspiration and have significant doubts regarding humanity's place within the biosphere.   Achieving genuine environmental progress depends greatly on finding ways to reach those who do not share the ecocentric viewpoint, still have an anthropocentric mindset and are resistant to the applicability of biological and ecological principles. 

There needs to be a new non-Cartesian duality where any person can embrace their religious faith and still have an equal faith in the principles of science.  Where these world views conflict, the empirical lessons of ecology and biology will prevail over the tribal imperatives of religion.  This is not to diminish faith but to finally free the life sciences from the trappings of different and competing religious dogmas.  Creation myths and their attendant explanations of life, often expressed in anthropocentric terms have had their day in the sun.  The burden of resolution lbetween religious dogma and the necessity of understanding the life sciences lies with the individual and his or her conscience, rather than traveling the well worn path regarding whether science and religion can co-exist.    They can, they do, they must.  Science advocacy can not and should not seek to extinguish spirituality - nor should it expect to.   Adherents of organized religion and fundamentalists must be convinced by an irreducible argument to accept that they live on a planet where biological, ecological and geo-physical laws, rules and probabilities play a defining role in their survival, well being and health.   That argument emphasizes that there is ample room for spirituality but not at the expense of ecological principle. 

I am advocating a new conversation based on common sense, common sensibility, the essential evidence of an empirical world dedicated to convincing any reasonable and rational individual that their lives, and indeed the continuum of life itself, are indeed dependent on a healthy and viable biosphere.   The emergent capacity of consciousness, itself an emergent property of metabolic function, must finally engage the great conversation regarding our true and/or genuine place in the continuum of life.  We are part of this continuum and all its rules and functions; evidence gathered by each of us each day testifies to the applicability of biological principle, geophysical location, and metabolic and neural function.   Whether you believe in a creator or not, and I am a devout agnostic - I don't mind the mystery or the label - no one can deny the empirical evidence of each day's labor, each day's encounters with physical reality.  As E.O Wilson said - human consciousness is the consciousness of the planet. We must not mistake that responsibility.

We do not live in a dream - some days, it just seems like it.  Spiritual certainty must finally make room for a new currency, that of environmenal probability: if we educate ourselves about how the world really works, what we are really made of, how we interact with and within the fabric of life, we have a chance.  I feel strongly about emphasizing quality science education which, when balanced with a healthy dose of philosophy and a fluid, generous and non-judgemental stance toward spirituality, will provide humanity with our best chance to successfully navigate within the biosphere and the environment..