What is deep ecology? Deep ecology is an eco-philosophy, based on the idea that all life is of value in itself (intrinsic value), irrespective of its value to humans Deep ecology is an eco-philosophy, based on the idea that all life is of value in itself (intrinsic value), irrespective of its value to humans This means that Mother Earth does not exist for the benefit of humans, and that humans do not and cannot own the planet This means that Mother Earth does not exist for the benefit of humans, and that humans do not and cannot own the planet What passes for ownership of land and natural resources in industrial civilization, is in fact the power to prevent other humans and nonhumans from using them What passes for ownership of land and natural resources in industrial civilization, is in fact the power to prevent other humans and nonhumans from using them This power is expressed through violence or the threat of violence This power is expressed through violence or the threat of violence

Is might right? The rulers of industrial civilization and many of its people believe that RIGHT is the ability to use superior FORCE. This means that, within civilization, MORAL VALUES (right & wrong, good & bad) are considered to be RELATIVE The rulers of industrial civilization and many of its people believe that RIGHT is the ability to use superior FORCE. This means that, within civilization, MORAL VALUES (right & wrong, good & bad) are considered to be RELATIVE Violence directed at the poor or disenfranchised, for instance, is considered to be acceptable. Violence directed at the rich and privileged, is not considered acceptable Violence directed at the poor or disenfranchised, for instance, is considered to be acceptable. Violence directed at the rich and privileged, is not considered acceptable The idea that humans are by nature selfish, greedy, egoistical, and violent, is an ideology developed by civilization in order to legitimize the fact that it is a social system founded on the use of violence, coercion and force. The idea that humans are by nature selfish, greedy, egoistical, and violent, is an ideology developed by civilization in order to legitimize the fact that it is a social system founded on the use of violence, coercion and force.

Deep ecology & moral realism Deep ecology is based on the idea that moral values are REAL, not relative. This means that some things JUST ARE BAD, or JUST ARE WRONG, irrespective of culture, society, class, or the capacity to apply superior force Humans are born with a moral sense that is part of their evolutionary inheritance: this moral sense is a code that gives structure to human communities Humans have the ability to override their moral sense, but are aware of it when they are doing so, due to an inbuilt warning-system known as CONSCIENCE

The ecological world-view Deep ecology cannot be fitted into the world-view of industrial civilization, because it is based on a different conception of human nature Deep ecology cannot be fitted into the world-view of industrial civilization, because it is based on a different conception of human nature Deep ecology offers an alternative world view to that of industrial civilization Deep ecology offers an alternative world view to that of industrial civilization The world-view of civilization (the scientific world view) and the world-view of deep ecology (the ecological world view) are mutually exclusive: they cannot be held together. The world-view of civilization (the scientific world view) and the world-view of deep ecology (the ecological world view) are mutually exclusive: they cannot be held together. Deep ecology is a value-system that puts LIFE first. The dominant value-system theoretically puts humans first, but in practice works for only a minority of humans. It has proved destructive to the biosphere on which all life is dependent Deep ecology is a value-system that puts LIFE first. The dominant value-system theoretically puts humans first, but in practice works for only a minority of humans. It has proved destructive to the biosphere on which all life is dependent Deep ecology is a new paradigm (world- view) that offers a solution to the environmental crisis on this planet - a crisis that has been brought about by industrial civilization and the scientific world view Deep ecology is a new paradigm (world- view) that offers a solution to the environmental crisis on this planet - a crisis that has been brought about by industrial civilization and the scientific world view

What does deep ecology say? Deep ecology is based on 8 tenets: #1 That all life is of intrinsic value, irrespective of its value to humans #2 That the diversity of life is part of this value #3 That humans have no right to interfere with the diversity of life, except to satisfy vital needs #4 That the flourishing of human & nonhuman life on this planet is compatible with a substantial decrease in human population #5 That human interference with the diversity of life is currently excessive and rapidly worsening #6 That the dominant ideological, political, economic and technological structures of industrial civilization must be changed #7 That this ideological change must be based on an improvement of the quality of life, rather than an adherence to improvements in the material standard of living #8 That those who accept the above tenets have an obligation to directly or indirectly implement the necessary changes