Beneath the Surface: Critical Essays in the Philosophy of Deep Ecology [Paperback]

Eric Katz (Editor), Andrew Light (Editor), David Rothenberg (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 9, 2000

The philosophy of deep ecology originated in the 1970s with the Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess and has since spread around the world. Its basic premises are a belief in the intrinsic value of nonhuman nature, a belief that ecological principles should dictate human actions and moral evaluations, an emphasis on noninterference into natural processes, and a critique of materialism and technological progress.This book approaches deep ecology as a philosophy, not as a political, social, or environmental movement. In part I, the authors compare deep ecology's philosophical ideas with other positions and debates in environmental philosophy and to other schools of thought such as social ecology, ecofeminism, and moral pluralism. In part II, they investigate the connections between deep ecology and other contemporary world views, such as continental philosophy, postmodernism, and non-Western philosophical traditions. The first anthology on deep ecology that is not primarily the work of the movement's followers, Beneath the Surface offers a rigorous assessment of deep ecology's strengths and weaknesses as a philosophical position.Contributors : John Clark, Deane Curtin, Arran Gare, William Grey, Mathew Humphrey, Knut Jacobsen, Eric Katz, Andrew Light, Jonathan Maskit, Val Plumwood, David Rothenberg, Ariel Salleh, Bron Taylor, Michael Zimmerman.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Andrew Light is Director of the Center for Global Ethics at George Mason University and Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.

David Rothenberg is Professor of Philosophy at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and founder of the Terra Nova book series. His most recent books are Always the Mountains and Sudden Music: Improvisation, Art and Nature.

Marc A. Levy is Assistant Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University and Associate at Harvard's Center for International Affairs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (June 9, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 026261149X
• ISBN-13: 978-0262611497
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,371,851 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I am a writer, musician, and philosopher, most interested in how humanity is connected with the natural world. I have explored this connection in music and words, in recordings, books, lectures and performances.

You can look at my four websites for more information:

www.davidrothenberg.net
www.survivalofthebeautiful.com
www.whybirdssing.com
www.thousandmilesong.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars How deep is Deep Ecology?, June 16, 2011

By 

Ashtar Command "Seeker" (Stockholm, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beneath the Surface: Critical Essays in the Philosophy of Deep Ecology (Paperback)

"Beneath the surface" is a collection of articles criticizing Deep Ecology, the philosophical and political current associated with Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess. The critics in this volume are not brownlashers or cornucopians, however. Rather, they belong to different strands of the Green movement. Indeed, many are quite "deep" themselves.

I haven't read every article (yet), but I noticed that they are of quite varied quality, which is probably inevitable. It's an anthology, after all. Some are written in a relatively accessible style, while others are loaded with academic jargon (a humorous similarity with Deep Ecology itself). Most of the articles deal with philosophical issues, but a few takes a more concrete approach.

Bron Taylor's article "Deep Ecology and Its Social Philosophy: A Critique" is quite interesting. Deep Ecologists claim that anthropocentrism hinders pro-environmentalist consciousness and actions. Conversely, they claim that Earth-centred spirituality enhances it. Taylor has attempted to actually research whether these claims are true, and seems rather sceptical. At least in the Third World, the main reasons for environmental action tend to be very "anthropocentric" and "materialist": communities fight against foreign corporations or corrupt governments that literally steal their land. Taylor also believes that religious believers who take up Green causes virtually always turn to their own traditions in search of spiritual answers. If none are forthcoming, they simply change or "Green" their traditions, even if they are monotheist, rather than becoming neo-pagans.

Another interesting text is Michael Zimmerman's "Possible Political Problems of Earth-Based Religiosity". The author is a former admirer of Martin Heidegger, but has reached the conclusion that anti-modernism is too simple and, frankly, reactionary. Instead, he has taken up the neo-Hegelian approach of Ken Wilber (who even helped him with the article), according to which humans are different and higher than animals, and have to transcend modernity rather than simply go back to pre-modernity. Zimmerman believes that this can be done without repudiating an environmentalist perspective.

There are also articles claiming that Deep Ecology itself is anthropocentric, since it's based on the idea that the human Self must expand and encompass all of Nature. But isn't this still a perspective that privileges humans? The political naivety and right-wing drift of some Deep Ecologists is criticized by ecofeminist writer Val Plumwood. Bioregionalism, classical republicanism and Deep Green Theory (a competitor to Deep Ecology) are also up for criticism. A few "pro" articles have been included as well.

Since really existing Deep Ecology seems to be a rather broad current, I'm sure some people calling themselves deep ecologists might actually agree with some of the contents of this book. Others might reel, especially at Zimmerman's pitch for Wilber (who is apparently no stranger to controversy).

"Beneath the surface" might not be your first choice of light bedtime reading, but if you have a more scholarly or advanced interest in Deep Ecology and its problematique, you might found this volume to be relatively interesting. Four stars.