Disenchantment and the Environmental Crisis: Lynn White Jr., Max Weber, and Muhammad Iqbal

2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Afzaal
Keyword(s):  
Max Weber ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Islamic Theology ◽  
Rational Thought ◽  
Muslim Scholars

“The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis” by Lynn White Jr. poses specific challenges to Islamic metaphysics and theology that have yet to be adequately addressed by Muslim scholars. I argue that the transition from a panentheistic view of God to an increasingly supernaturalist one is indicative of a larger shift in worldview that White had failed to emphasize. Reading White’s essay in light of Weber and Iqbal, I argue that a worldview dominated by rational thought is consistent with supernatural theism. The challenges posed by White’s essay can be met through Iqbal’s postmodern reconstruction of Islamic theology in panentheistic terms.

A Scientific World-View of Nature and Environmental Problem with a Special Concentration on Seyyed Hossein Nasr’s Understanding of Environmental Sustainability (Perspektif Sains terhadap Krisis Alam dan Persekitaran: Pemikiran Seyyed Hossein Nasr tentan)

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 312-328
Author(s):  
Md. Abu Sayem
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
World View ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
World Views ◽  
Renaissance Humanism ◽  
Spiritual World ◽  
Scientific World ◽  
European Renaissance

The present paper attempts to expose how the scientific world-view of nature contributes to the present environmental crisis. Alongside this, it relates European Renaissance, humanism, secularism, the scientific and industrial revolutions, modern philosophy, scientism, technology-based modern life, consumerism-based modern society, etc. with current environmental problems. By focusing on Nasr’s traditional understanding of nature, the paper explores how materialistic and mechanistic world-views are deeply connected with the present ecological crisis. It also offers a critical analysis of Nasr’s spiritual and religious world-view of nature and examines its relevance. In doing so, it aims to highlight some demerits of the present world-view, and to call to reform current perceptions of nature by revitalizing traditional wisdom in order to protect the environment from further degradation. Thus, the paper is scholarly addition to the ongoing discourse on the issue of religions and the environment. Keywords: Eco-theology, Environmental Degradation, Materialistic and Mechanistic Views of Nature, Scientism, Spiritual Crisis of Modern humans, Religious and Spiritual World-Views.   Abstrak Kertas kajian ini menerangkan bagaimana pandangan saintifik telah menyumbang kepada krisis alam sekitar semasa. Disamping itu, kertas ini akan menhubungkaitkan Gerakan Revolusi Humanisma di Eropah, sekularisme, revolusi  sains dan perindustrian, falsafah moden, saintisme, kehidupan moden yang berasaskan teknologi, masyarakat moden yang berasaskan consumerisme, etc. dengan krisis alam sekitar yang berlaku dewasa ini.  Dengan memahami pandangan Nasr terhadap alam sekitar, kertas ini akan merungkai bagaimana pandangan materialistik (kebendaan) dan mekanistik mempengaruhi krisis ekologi masa kini. Ia juga akan menganalisa pandangan spiritual dan agama Nasr terhadap alam sekitar secara kritikal dan akan menilai sejauh mana kesesuaiannya. Dengan sedemikian dapat menyedarkan manusia tentang kecacatan pandangan semasa, yang kemudiannya akan membawa kepada pembaharuan persepsi mereka terhadap alam sekitar dengan cara menghidupkan semula nilai-nilai tradisional demi mengelakkan kemerosotan alam sekitar. Kertas ini akan memuatkan idea-idea para cendiakawan dalam membincangkan isu  berkaitan agama dan alam sekitar. Kata Kunci: Eko-Teologi, Kemerosotan Alam Sekitar, Pandangan Materialistik dan Makanistik terhadap Alam, Saintisme, Krisis Spiritual Manusia Moden, Perspektif Spiritual dan Agama.

scholarly journals Neomarxist approaches to environmental crisis and sustainable development

Sociologija ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-437
Author(s):  
Matija Jovanovic
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Original Work ◽  
Marxist Theory ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Metabolic Rift ◽  
Critical Theories ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Heuristic Analysis

This paper discusses two neomarxist theories of ecological crises - theory of metabolic rift and the second contradiction of capitalism theory. The goal of the paper is to present two critical theories and to confront them so similarities, differences, flaws and contributions of those theories can be identified. In the first part of the paper author classifies different approaches to ecological crisis and sustainable development in order to relate two neomarxist theories to other approaches to the topic. In the second part, author discusses theory of metabolic rift, which is a heuristic analysis of Marx?s original work. In other words, this theory represents a new reading of the classic and tries to integrate it?s new findings about envirnmental side of Marx?s thought into a contemporary marxist theory. Third part of the paper is reserved for the second contradiction of capitalism, a neomarxist theory of economic crisis which can be applied as a theory of ecological crisis. Two theories are then confronted after which similarities and differences between them are pointed out. The author concludes the paper by stressing out the flaws and scientific contributions of the two theories.

Developing Countries: Problems of Environment and Development

2014 ◽  
pp. 88-98
Author(s):  
N. Rogozhina
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Industrial Society ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Economic Concept ◽  
Green Development ◽  
Green World

This article deals with the role of developing countries in strengthening the global ecological security, because the focus of environmental crisis has been shifting towards them. Taking into consideration the dynamics of their socio-economic and demographic changes, these countries will determine environmental situation in the world. Ecological crisis in developing countries is subjected to the industrial society formation that is accompanied by heavy demand on natural resources and pollution of environment. The author concludes that inevitable environmental costs of extensive economic growth are multiplied by continuing population growth and poverty increase. Today the developing countries are in extremely hard situation: they won’t overcome economic gap which is the main cause of ecological disruption without accelerating the development. But at the same time, the uncontrolled increase of economic production results in intensification of environmental crisis. It determines the urgent need to shift from the traditional model of industrial development relying on the postulate "growth first clean up later" to the model of "green" development. This economic concept is defined as eco-industrial revolution. In order to carry this task these states have to include the elements of post-industrial "green" development into the model of the industrial type development catch up. In its practical realization this model may cause further differentiation of developing countries and inequality on the global level. The emerging economics of the Asia Pacific region possess enough technological, financial resources and political will to join the "green world". But scarcely the poor countries of Africa or South Asia will demonstrate the same high interest in providing secure ecological development. Sustainable economics will probably facilitate entering the "green world".

scholarly journals A sound track to ecological crisis: tracing guitars all the way back to the tree

Popular Music ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Gibson
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Musical Instruments ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Endangered Tree ◽  
Sound Track ◽  
Endangered Tree Species ◽  
Project Tracing ◽  
The Way

AbstractAnalyses of music and environment are proliferating, yet new conceptions are needed to make sense of growing ecological crisis in the Anthropocene. From an empirical project tracing guitars all the way back to the tree, I argue for deeper conceptual and empirical integration of music into the material and visceral processes that constitute ecological crisis itself. Musicians are not only inspired by environmental concerns for compositional or activist purposes. They are entangled in environmental crisis through material and embodied relations with ecosystems, especially via the musical instruments we depend upon. I foreground three ‘more-than-musical’ themes to make sense of unfurling forces: materiality, corporeality and volatility. Musical instruments are gateway objects that invite contemplation of material and corporal relations. Such relations bind together musicians and non-human others. Material and corporeal relations with increasingly threatened upstream forests, and endangered tree species, are being confronted and reconfigured. In the context of ecological crisis, guitars do much more than make pleasing acoustic sounds. Via guitars we co-generate, with non-human others, a sound track of crisis both melancholy and hopeful.

WHAT STATE OF THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WILL WE LEAVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS? REVIEW OF THE CAUSES OF THE CURRENT ECOLOGICAL CRISIS AND THE DEFINITION OF ECO-CRIMINOLOGY

2020 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-200
Author(s):  
ALEKSANDRA NOWAK
Keyword(s):  
Global Warming ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Industrial Development ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Global Population

The article provides an overview of the causes of the current environmental crisis, with three main sources being identifi ed: industrial development and large-scale agriculture, a rapidly growing global population, and environmental crime.The most serious environmental problems, such as global warming, air and soil pollution have also been characterised. The author briefl y charac-terises the defi nitions related to eco-criminology. The international commu-nity, governments, and NGOs are involved in improving the effectiveness of police cooperation in the fi ght against eco-crime, but it is still not effective enough.Environmental protection is currently one of the most important issues that humanity must address. The quality of our lives and maybe our surviv-al depend on it.

scholarly journals Revisiting the Role of Environmental Education in Eco-Friendly Awareness Formation

2020 ◽  
pp. 58-61
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Viktorovna Petrova
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Practical Skills ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Philosophy Of Ecology ◽  
Ecological Culture ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

The article is devoted to the analysis of the role that environmental education and upbringing play in the formation of eco-friendly awareness and thinking. The author outlines that at the moment, it is becoming clear that it is impossible to overcome the ecological crisis exclusively by technical means. It is also noted that the creation of a system of environmental education and upbringing is one of the most important ways to overcome the environmental crisis. The result of the work of such a system should be the formation of a developed eco-friendly awareness among all age and social groups. Theoretical bases. The features of environmentalism and the principles of eco-friendly awareness formulated by N.F. Reimers are reviewed; the main requirements for modern environmental education are analyzed. Special attention is paid to ecological culture in the philosophy of ecology. The scientific and educational projects in the field of ecology aimed at the exchange of experience and practical skills between the older and younger generations are described. As part of the course "History and philosophy of science" at the Institute of philosophy of the Russian Academy of Sciences, postgraduate students of biological specialties are taught a course on the basics of bio-and ecophilosophy to develop a holistic worldview in the field of science under study. It is concluded that environmental education contributes to the development of eco-friendly awareness, ecological culture and eco-friendly thinking, which is the most important condition for overcoming the environmental crisis and the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature.

scholarly journals Sinergias en la obra Radici in equilibrio. Una estrategia artística de transición hacia la concienciación ecológica. / Synergies in the art work “Roots in balance”. An artistic strategy for a transition towards environmental awareness.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Soto Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Awareness ◽  
Social Processes ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Practical Case ◽  
Artistic Practice ◽  
Ecological Consciousness ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Creation

No cabe duda de que en el escenario de crisis socioambiental por el que atravesamos es más que urgente y necesaria la transformación de la humanidad hacia los parámetros de la sostenibilidad. Este cambio supone afrontar uno de los mayores retos en la actualidad y desde el prisma de la práctica artística realizar esta necesaria transición hace entender el arte como una de las herramientas más potentes para la transformación. La capacidad de interconexión entre el campo simbólico y el práctico de la creación artística vinculada a la conciencia ecológica, puede activar la empatía y reforzar los vínculos de respeto con la naturaleza para despertar la conciencia ecológica en los individuos. Consciente de la diversidad de artistas que, desde los años sesenta hasta la actualidad, han trabajado desde diferentes estrategias para activar lazos de reconciliación entre la humanidad y la naturaleza ante el desequilibrio ecológico, el presente ensayo se centrará particularmente en exponer mi propia estrategia creativa como un ejemplo más para despertar la conciencia ecológica desde la práctica artística.Esta investigación forma parte uno de los resultados de mi tesis doctoral y en ella se muestra el proceso de creación y recorrido de uno de mis últimos proyectos artísticos Radici in equilibrio. Obra con la cual, se han podido estudiar las fases de creación de una posible estrategia artística de concienciación ecológica. Se pretende mostrar, con tal caso práctico, la idea de que la creación contemporánea puede atender a los procesos ecológico-sociales, siendo capaz de introducirse en los nuevos escenarios de la transición hacia la sostenibilidad. La práctica artística se convierte en un activador de consciencias capaz de florecer en los territorios fértiles que emergen del estado de crisis socioambiental. Synergies in the art work “Roots in balance”. An artistic strategy for a transition towards environmental awareness.Through my artistical position, facing the ecological crisis, this article exposes and analyses one on my last project “Radici in equilibrio”. Art piece with which I’ve been able to go deep into the creation phases of an artistic strategy to create ecological consciousness. With this practical case, I demonstrate that contemporary creation can handle ecological-social processes, being able to introduce itself into new transitional scenarios through sustainability. The artistic practice gets to be, in this way consciousness producer able to grow in fertile territories that arise from the social and environmental crisis condition.

scholarly journals Eko-Spiritualitas Trinitaris: Sebuah Upaya Membangun Spiritualitas Lingkungan terhadap Krisis Lingkungan (Reklamasi Pantai) di Manado

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 199
Author(s):  
Ryan Danny Dalihade
Keyword(s):  
Coral Reefs ◽  
Coastal Area ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Trace Back ◽  
Leonardo Boff ◽  
Coastal Reclamation ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Liberation Theologian ◽  
The Trinity

AbstractThe environmental crisis has always been an endless issue to discuss. Especially in reality, the ecological crisis is already on an alarming level. One of the ecological crises is the beach reclamation that occurred in Manado. Beach reclamation causes damage to marine ecosystems, for example, the destruction of coral reefs on the coastal area. In addition, it also caused flash floods in Manado. The society in Manado then begins to blame nature without wanting to examine it first. The question that arises is why does exploitation of nature, such as beach reclamation, continue to occur? My guess is that there was a theological crisis which later led to an ecological crisis. The theological crisis is related to the concept that God is understood to be distanced from creation. This is exactly what William Johnston and Leonardo Boff, a philosopher and liberation theologian, conducted through the theory of the Communion of God. This concerns the wrong understanding of the trinity of God and assumes that there is power over the others, so what occurs is oppression, deprivation of rights, and exclusion. For this reason, using the theories of Boff and Johnston, we will both see in this paper how the Minahasa trinitarian faith is connected with the concept of the Minahasan God of the ecological crisis, in this case coastal reclamation. However, if we trace back, the relationship between Minahasan and the nature was relatively close. This is based on the concept of a Trinitarian of God whose duty is to protect humans and nature. For this reason, I hope that the results of this paper will be able to build a trinitarian eco-spirituality in the lives of people in Manado to continue to strive to preserve nature, not to damage it.  AbstrakKrisis lingkungan (ekologi) selalu menjadi isu yang tidak pernah habis untuk didiskusikan karena krisis ekologi sudah dalam taraf yang memprihatinkan. Salah satu krisis ekologi yaitu reklamasi pantai yang terjadi di Manado. Reklamasi pantai menyebabkan rusaknya ekosistem laut, misalnya, hancurnya terumbu karang yang ada di pesisir pantai. Selain itu, reklamasi pantai menyebabkan terjadinya banjir bandang di Manado. Masyarakat mulai menyalahkan alam tanpa mau mengkajinya terlebih dahulu. Pertanyaan yang kemudian muncul adalah mengapa exploitasi terhadap alam, misalnya reklamasi pantai, masih terus terjadi? Dugaan penulis bahwa terdapat krisis teologi yang kemudian menyebabkan krisis ekologi. Krisis teologi yang dimaksudkan yaitu konsep bahwa Allah yang dipahami berjarak dari ciptaan. Krisis teologi tersebut senada dengan apa yang dikeluhkan oleh William Johnston dan Leonardo Boff, seorang filsuf dan teolog pembebasan melalui teorinya communion of God. Hal tersebut terkait dengan paham yang keliru tentang ketritunggalan Allah dan menganggap bahwa ada yang berkuasa terhadap yang lain, sehingga yang terjadi adalah penindasan, perampasan hak, penyingkiran, dan lain-lain. Untuk itu, dengan menggunakan teori Boff dan Johnston, penulis akan melihat bagaimana penghayatan iman trinitaris orang Minahasa yang dihubungkan dengan konsep Allah orang Minahasa terhadap krisis ekologi dalam hal ini reklamasi pantai. Karena jika merunut ke belakang, hubungan orang Minahasa dulu dengan alam tergolong akrab. Hal ini didasari pada konsep tentang Allah trinitaris yang bertugas untuk menjaga manusia dan alam. Untuk itu penulis berharap hasil yang ditemukan dapat membangun eko-spiritualitas trinitaris di dalam kehidupan masyarakat di Manado untuk terus berupaya menjaga dan memelihara alam, bukan merusak.

Towards a Christian Social Ecology

2000 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-201
Author(s):  
Richard Davis
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Ecology ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Causes

Solutions to the environmental crisis depend on an understanding of its cause. This paper examines the social ecology of Murray Bookchin, who argues that our ecological crisis, seen in the domination of nature by human beings, has its roots in the domination of human by human. Social ecology, which emphasises these social causes, is at odds with much ecotheology, which finds the causes in overpopulation, technology, consumerism and Christianity itself. The differences between these approaches are illustrated with the examples drawn from New Zealand and Australian authors. The author advocates Christianising Bookchin's social ecology, using various theological motifs, but without slipping into an individualistic eco-spiritualism, which avoids the difficult social questions social ecology raises.

“Green” Reproduction, Resource Conservation, and Ecological Responsibility

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-172
Author(s):  
Cristina Richie
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Reproductive Technologies ◽  
Ecological Crisis ◽  
Environmental Crisis ◽  
Moral Obligations ◽  
Ecological Responsibility ◽  
Biblical Principles ◽  
Developed World ◽  
The Impact

This paper will draw on Catholic resources to examine the impact of population and consumption vis-à-vis reproduction in the developed world as it relates to theological/ moral obligations to the earth. By examining both natural and artificial means of procreation, an assessment of “green” reproduction can be made. I will explore contraception as an option for limiting natural procreation, and the avoidance of assisted reproductive technologies [ARTs] as a way of preventive artificial reproduction. However, both family size and carbon footprint must be scrutinized for ecologically sound consumer practices in accordance with biblical principles to ensure the global magnitude of the ecological crisis is examined; therefore the role of consumption that stems from procreation will also be discussed. The paper will conclude by envisioning alternative parenting options as they relate to ecological practices, and I will assert that all things considered, on the continuum of ecologically oriented reproductive choices, non-biological parenting and thereby a reduction in procreation and consumerist practices is the most ethical and ecological solution to the environmental crisis that surely escalates with each birth.

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