The book delves into the environmental crisis, presenting it as a reflection of deeper, systemic issues within modern civilization. It explores the interconnectedness of ecological degradation with social, economic, and cultural challenges, urging readers to reconsider the foundations of contemporary life. By analyzing these underlying crises, the author advocates for a holistic approach to addressing environmental issues, emphasizing the need for transformative change in societal values and practices.
La 4ème de couv. indique : "Environmental disasters, from wildfires and vanishing species to flooding and drought, have increased dramatically in recent years and debates about the environment are rarely far from the headlines. There is growing awareness that these disasters are connected - indeed, that in the fabric of nature everything is interconnected. However, until the publication of Freya Mathews' The Ecological Self, there had been remarkably few attempts to provide a conceptual foundation for such interconnectedness that brought together philosophy and science. In this acclaimed book, Mathews skilfully weaves together a thought-provoking metaphysics of the environment. She connects the ideas of the seventeenth-century philosopher Spinoza with twentieth-century systems theory and Einstein's physics to argue that the atomistic cosmology inherited from Newton gave credence to a picture of the universe as fragmented, rather than as whole. Furthermore, it is such faulty thinking that presents human beings as similarly disconnected and individualistic, with the dire consequence that they regard nature as of purely instrumental rather than intrinsic value. She concludes by arguing for an ethics of ecological interdependence and for a basic egalitarianism among living species. A compelling and fascinating account of how we must change our thinking about the environment, The Ecological Self is a classic of ecological and environmental thinking"
The book sets out a prospectus for a new form of civilization patterned at every level to serve and sustain the biosphere. Starting with the deep philosophical flaw at the core of modernity, namely that the cosmos is devoid of ends of its own, it posits, as an alternative axis for civilization, that the cosmos indeed actively seeks its own existence, and that its self-realization is moreover internally structured via an impulse, amongst finite things, towards co-generativity. Termed ‘Dao’ in ancient China and often coded as Law in Indigenous and First Nations cultures, this innate template is here taken as a first principle for economic production in contemporary basic modes of economic production must transition from antagonistic to synergistic – to a specifically biological form of synergy which involves not merely the imitation of natural systems but active collaboration with them. The fact that this first principle is so philosophically alien to the Western mind-set while yet finding strong resonances with Chinese tradition, might encourage China, as an emerging great power, to lead the world in crafting a contemporary form of civilization that is true to Dao.
Set against the backdrop of a 1999 journey, three friends embark on a pilgrimage to uncover the source of the Merri Creek. Their adventure spans diverse landscapes, from urban areas to sacred sites, invoking themes of love, philosophical exploration, and ecological consciousness. As they traverse this physical and metaphysical terrain, they ponder the transformative power of pilgrimage in revealing deeper truths about reality. Freya Mathews, a philosopher with a focus on ecological issues, enriches this narrative with her insights and experiences.
The narrative features an anarchic pig that embodies the essential bond between humans and animals, illustrating the argument that companionship with animals enriches human life. Freya Mathews, an eco-philosopher, explores this theme through engaging storytelling, emphasizing the indispensable role animals play in our existence and the deeper philosophical implications of this relationship.
Exploring profound philosophical questions, the narrative delves into the concept of the soul, examining its potential for forfeiture and trade. It poses thought-provoking inquiries about the implications of losing one's soul, considering the repercussions for individuals, society, and the planet. Through this exploration, the book invites readers to reflect on the essence of humanity and the moral dilemmas surrounding the soul's value and significance.
Současní přední myslitelé z oblasti ekofilosofie a kultury udržitelnosti – David Abram, Derrick Jensen, Freya Mathews, Andreas Weber a Hildegarda Kurt – uvažují o tom, jak by bylo možné naši současnou postindustriální civilizaci, která nás přivedla na samotný práh enviromentálního rozvratu, ekologicky transformovat. Kladou si otázku, jak se od dominujícího vzorce kontroly a ovládání posunout k modu vzájemnosti a synergie se světem. Respektive jak bychom se jako lidská společnost mohli znovu začlenit do přírody; jakými způsoby bychom naše touhy a přání mohli sjednotit s touhami a potřebami biosféry tak, aby podporovaly její další možnou regeneraci a rozkvět a nikoli její ničení. Všichni se přitom shodují v tom, že nejde jen o „udržení“ reality světa tak, jak ji dnes chápeme. Jde o její radikální znovuoživení, o nové porozumění tomu, co je to život a jakou roli v něm hrajeme. O znovuobjevování subjektivity a poetiky mimolidského světa, jinými slovy – o animistický či panpsychistický obrat v udržitelnosti.
