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The Ecological Emergency: An Anthropological Problem Which Requires the Collective Embracement of the Notion of Interconnectedness

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Peacock, George (2021) The Ecological Emergency: An Anthropological Problem Which Requires the Collective Embracement of the Notion of Interconnectedness. Masters thesis, University of Gloucestershire. doi:10.46289/7ZD38H9S

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Abstract

‘To end tyranny, we must first understand it’.1 These were the words of the incredibly influential environmentalist Peter Singer, and this thesis echoes this statement as it attempts to understand the tyranny of humanity in relation to environmental issues. More attention must be given to the fundamental cause of the crisis – anthropocentric chauvinistic idealism. The West has historically embarked on a philosophical evolution which has congealed the notion that we are transcendent from nature. As a result, a dichotomy is present between philosophy and science. Hence, the notion of interconnectedness has failed to be acknowledged, which has proscribed successful environmentalism. However, it is important to assert that the onus of the ecological emergency cannot be entirely attributed to the West as other cultures and traditions have anthropocentric chauvinistic idealistic manifestations too. Therefore, across the world, morality has often not been extended to the natural world. As a result, nature is in peril. However, because of interconnectedness, the peril of the natural world also means that humanity is suffering. This is reflected by the ever-increasing amount of suffering that humanity is experiencing as a result of a change in environmental nature. Therefore, to tackle the ecological emergency, humanity must place interconnectedness at the forefront of its contemplations and manifestations. Crucially, this can be achieved, as certain philosophies such as Buddhism already embrace interconnectedness. Hence, this thesis advocates the transcendence of embracing interconnectedness away from exclusive anthropological parameters and to humanity in general. As the ecological emergency is a global emergency it requires the collective effort. Therefore, this advocation is essential for the wellbeing of this planet. This thesis explores three main topics. Firstly, the unequivocal evidence for the ecological emergency. Secondly, the detrimental ontology of anthropocentric chauvinistic idealism, with a specific focus on the notion of instrumental value. Lastly, ecocentrism and interconnectedness, in contexts of both theory and application. The thesis strives to contribute towards a deeper understanding of the ecological emergency, in the sense of both how we got here, but also how we can pragmatically tackle the crisis.

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Thesis (Masters)

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