Personally, I would agree with almost every key element in this inspiring and thought-provoking paper from Haydn Washington et al. on a Concrete Ecotopia of Harmony. It is a timely reminder of how nature is not just a tool, or a means towards a human-centered end, and how the narrow view of nature as service-provider may well be a root cause of our dysfunctional relationship with the natural world. An anthropocentric worldview enables the economic perspective of nature as just another asset, as commodifiable and therefore marketable, and may well subvert conservation decision-making to serving only humanity while putting the intrinsic value of nonhuman life and biodiversity on the backburner or even render it obsolete. It is time for a qualitative shift in human-nature relations, embracing nature’s intrinsic value, not just its benefits to us. Key to this transformation is moving from an anthropocentric view, which places humans above nature, to an ecocentric perspective that recognizes humans as part of nature. This shift indeed calls for an ethic of care, respect, and attentiveness in all our interactions with our non-human kin with whom we share this world.
🌍Harmony in Conservation 👉https://lnkd.in/gGaQa3TG Keywords: #harmony; hubris; ecocentrism; anthropocentrism; #conservation; impact of theory; cooperation; #indigenous harmony; ecotopia of harmony 🧐Abstract: Many authors have noted the role that anthropocentrism has played in creating humanity’s dysfunctional relationship with the natural world. As human hubris (excessive pride or self-confidence) is an ailment that contributes to the anthropogenic sixth mass extinction of Earth’s biodiversity, we argue instead for ‘harmony with nature’. In recent decades, even the conservation discourse has become increasingly anthropocentric. Indeed, justification for nature conservation has in part shifted from nature’s intrinsic value to ‘ecosystem services’ for the benefit of people. Here we call for a transformation to a more harmonious human-nature relationship that is grounded in mutual respect and principled responsibility, instead of utilitarianism and enlightened self-interest. Far from what Tennyson called ‘red in tooth and claw’, we argue nature is a mixture of cooperation as well as competition. We argue that the UN’s ‘Harmony with Nature’ program is an innovative and refreshing path for change. If we are to achieve harmony with nature, modern industrial society will need to abandon its anthropocentric ‘human supremacy’ mindset and adopt an ecocentric worldview and ecological ethics. We conclude it is thus both appropriate (and essential) for conservationists to champion harmony with nature.
Helen (PhD Cambridge University, 2002) at Northumbria University coordinates Sustainable Business modules, linking business & biodiversity, environmental sustainability & education.
1moThanks for highlighting this paper, it was one of Haydn's favourites!