2024.07.16 Invitation from Andrius Kulikauskas
What is ecological thinking? How do we get people to think ecologically?
Ecotechnology pioneer Jere Northrop and I welcome your help to investigate these questions here at this Lovers of Wisdom forum, if there is interest.
Jere and I have started a website Econet http://www.e-c-o.net to foster synergy amongst ecotechnology practitioners and ecological thinkers. Jere leads TimberFish Technologies. We would like to discover other such practitioners and encourage the adoption and adaptation of a variety of ecological solutions.
Also, we want to encourage people to think ecologically. But a first question is: What is ecological thinking? We appreciate your help to explore this. Ecological thinking can be understood from many perspectives, including feminist, collective, indigenous, libertarian (carbon tax!), spiritual, Marxist, anarchist, environmentalist, organic farming, recycling and many more. Perhaps these all are complementary, perhaps there is a shared way of thinking underlying this all. Perhaps this can ground a morality, perhaps a morality that we may universally recognize. We will look and we will see.
Today I had a very fruitful conversation with Lucy Weir and she looks forward to working together on this. I would like to see these questions discussed at a variety of venues. The Econet wiki could be a hub for organizing what we're learning. I am happy to share these questions here and also at other venues.
2024.07.16 ChatGPT prompted by Leland Beaumont
What is Ecological Thinking?
Ecological thinking is a holistic approach to understanding the interconnections and interdependencies among living organisms, including humans, and their environment.1 It transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, integrating insights from biology, ecology, sociology, economics, and philosophy to offer a comprehensive perspective on the complex relationships within ecosystems. This mode of thinking emphasizes the importance of sustainability, resilience, and the intrinsic value of all forms of life, promoting a deep respect for the natural world and a commitment to its preservation.
At its core, ecological thinking recognizes that all components of an ecosystem are interconnected. Every organism, from the tiniest microorganism to the largest mammal, plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance and health of the environment. This interconnectedness means that changes or disruptions in one part of the system can have far-reaching impacts on the entire ecosystem. For instance, the decline of bee populations affects not only the plants they pollinate but also the animals and humans who depend on those plants for food and resources. Ecological thinking thus encourages us to consider the broader implications of our actions and to adopt a long-term perspective in our decision-making processes.
A fundamental aspect of ecological thinking is the concept of sustainability. This involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable practices prioritize the conservation of resources, the reduction of waste and pollution, and the maintenance of biodiversity. Ecological thinking challenges the prevalent model of economic growth that often prioritizes short-term gains over long-term environmental health. It advocates for a shift towards more sustainable forms of development that balance economic, social, and environmental considerations.
Ecological thinking also underscores the resilience of ecosystems. Resilience refers to the capacity of an ecosystem to absorb disturbances and still maintain its essential functions and structures. This concept is particularly relevant in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges. By understanding and enhancing the resilience of ecosystems, we can better prepare for and adapt to changes, minimizing the adverse impacts on both the environment and human societies. This involves protecting and restoring natural habitats, promoting biodiversity, and adopting practices that support the health and stability of ecosystems.
Another key element of ecological thinking is the recognition of the intrinsic value of all forms of life. This ethical dimension challenges anthropocentric views that place human interests above those of other species and the environment. Instead, ecological thinking advocates for a biocentric or ecocentric perspective, which values all living beings for their inherent worth, regardless of their utility to humans. This shift in perspective encourages a more compassionate and respectful relationship with the natural world, fostering a sense of stewardship and responsibility for its well-being.
Ecological thinking also calls for a more integrated and interdisciplinary approach to solving environmental problems. Traditional disciplinary boundaries often limit our understanding of complex ecological issues, leading to fragmented and ineffective solutions. By integrating knowledge from various fields, ecological thinking promotes a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of these issues. For example, addressing climate change requires not only scientific knowledge about greenhouse gas emissions but also insights from economics, politics, sociology, and ethics to develop effective and equitable mitigation and adaptation strategies.
In practical terms, ecological thinking can be applied in various ways to promote sustainability and environmental health. In agriculture, it encourages practices such as organic farming, agroforestry, and permaculture, which enhance soil health, conserve water, and support biodiversity. In urban planning, it advocates for green infrastructure, such as parks, green roofs, and sustainable transportation systems, which improve air quality, reduce heat islands, and enhance the quality of life for residents. In business, it promotes corporate social responsibility and sustainable supply chain management, encouraging companies to minimize their environmental impact and contribute positively to society.
In conclusion, ecological thinking is a holistic and integrative approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness, sustainability, resilience, and intrinsic value of all forms of life. It challenges us to rethink our relationship with the natural world and to adopt practices that promote environmental health and sustainability. By fostering a deeper understanding of the complex relationships within ecosystems and encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, ecological thinking offers a valuable framework for addressing the environmental challenges of our time and ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for all.
2024.07.17 Ron Barnett. Critique of ChatGPT's account.
Very interesting, colleagues, to see this ChatGPT account of ecological thinking. There are 6 areas where I'd critique it:
(i) It speaks rightly of interconnectdness of all things but then focuses on Nature. If we have a sense of the interconnectedness of all things, then the ecological perspective invites us to look at all things as interconnected. Nature, at best, is but the first among equals of the many mega-ecosystems that call for our attention.
(ii) Humanity has to understand itself within that ecosystem complex, not apart from it. The sense of apartness from the world that springs partly from the Descartesian sense of humanity 'going it alone', separated from the world, has been much part of the development of instrumental reason that lies behind the ecosystem crises before us.
(iii) Ecosystems are characteristically impaired, and humanity and - with it - education are partly culpable, which generates responsibilites.
(iv) 'Sustainability' should not be claiming our attention. Rather, the ecosystem perturbations, impairments and distortions are so considerable that we (including educational processes and institutions) should play their parts in ameliorating and improving the situation. 'Sustainability' is quite an inadequate concept.
(v) It speaks of interdisciplinarity but interdisciplinarity - and multidisciplinarity for that matter - reflect the epistemic interests of the academic community and its disciplines. Rather ecological thinking calls for transdisciplinarity, which is more ontological in orientation, taking its bearing from an understanding of what there is in the world and the way it is.
(vi) Ecological thinking is also critical, sizing up and evaluating the world and calling much that is in it to account and making interventions in it. Critique, criticality, critical thought, and critical being have to be central concepts (NOT 'critical thinking', still less 'critical thinking skills' which reflect the instrumental reason, which - as stated - has bedevilled the world).
(Immodestly, I have been developing these lines of thought in a strand of my work over the last dozen years or more on the (my) idea of the ecological university. ('The Ecological University: A Feasible Utopia', 2018; 'Realizing the Ecological University: Eight Ecosystems, Their Antagonisms and a Manifesto, September, 2024.) There is also here components of my work on - and attack on - critical thinking, which goes back to some of my early work in the 90s and was developed into a book in the early 2000s. As it happens, I am starting work on a new book on critical thinking right now.)
Very kindly Ron
Thanks Leland,
I wish I could put my finger on what’s wrong with this essay but all I can come up with is that it is dull, dry and trite. Its dullness stems from its lack of any visceral sense of what a system is, perhaps. And perhaps its dullness stems from its lack of a sense of place, or perspective from which to give a connected account of the origins of its viewpoint. Its triteness maybe stems from the lack of depth in exploring the boundaries of systems or of the one doing the writing.
I’m glad you’re engaging with this topic, though. And all kinds of input is worthwhile for us to find out what it means for each of us to think ecologically. I know you, Beaumont, have previously said that you do much in your own life to seek to steward your own locality, through consciousness of what you eat and how you travel. Perhaps that extends to how you garden, and speak to one another, and in your case, as someone concerned with wisdom, and evident in this group, you are certainly an exemplar of one who cares to use words attentively.
I’m going to share Freya Mathews’ poem (Zane, you no doubt know her, and Mary Graham) as a way of seeing how ecological thinking might happen practically.
Thanks very much, Andrius, for introducing this topic and your and Jere’s work here and I too look forward to more fruitful discussions and to working with you.
Best,
Lucy
Here is the poem which, for me, encapsulates ecological thinking (or at least gives a valuable perspective).
Freya Mathews. Let the mountain be your temple
Let the mountain be your temple,
The forest - your cloister,
The river - your pilgrim path.
Let the animals be your sangha,
The birds - your angels,
The insects - your Indra jewels.
Let elephants be your prophets,
Whales - your gurus,
Dolphins - your blessed assemblies.
Let the desert be your doorstep,
Stars, the needles of beauty that open your wound,
Sky, your liberation.
Let mosses be your worlds within worlds,
Ferns, your lacy raiment,
Fungi, your labyrinth.
Let fossils be your relics,
Boulders, your Old Folk,
Grottos, oracular, your holiest of holies.
By the elements, be tested,
By the terrors, chastened,
By the hungers of predators,
Apprised, as flesh, of your place.
Let walking be your ground-state,
Cognition, communion,
Communion of the human
With its very ground.
Let Earth be your soul,
Its inexhaustible life, your inexhaustible life,
Its mystery, your mystery.
Let your work, your via activa, be tending it,
Attending to it,
Learning its Law, turning its pages, deciphering
Its scriptures.
Let planting be your prayer,
Knowing what to plant, and where,
Your wisdom.
Let protecting, preserving, restoring,
Be your worthiness,
Observing its results,
Your bliss.
All there is, is this.
This Law.
Follow its course.
Bushes will burn for you,
Manna will fall,
Pillars of cloud will join you, as escort.
Of revelation, beloved, you will never be short.
2024.07.17 Bruce. What is Ecological Thinking?
Ecological thinking is an approach to understanding the world that emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of living organisms and their environment. This perspective views ecosystems and the broader environment as complex networks of relationships rather than isolated components.
Key aspects of ecological thinking include:
- Systems approach: Recognizing that changes in one part of an ecosystem can have far-reaching effects on other parts.
- Holistic view: Considering the whole rather than just individual parts, acknowledging that the sum is greater than its parts.
- Interdependence: Understanding that all living things are connected and rely on each other and their environment for survival.
- Cycles and flows: Recognizing the importance of nutrient cycles, energy flows, and other natural processes in maintaining ecosystem balance.
- Adaptability and resilience: Studying how ecosystems respond to changes and maintain stability over time.
- Human impact: Considering the role of humans as part of ecosystems and our influence on natural processes.
- Sustainability: Focusing on long-term ecosystem health and the responsible use of natural resources.
Ecological thinking has applications beyond environmental science, influencing fields such as urban planning, economics, and social sciences. It encourages a more integrated and sustainable approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
Would you like me to elaborate on any specific aspect of ecological thinking?
Bruce