The Anthropocentric Worldview: A Brief History
The anthropocentric worldview, or the belief that human beings are the central or most significant species on the planet, has dominated our thinking and our actions for centuries. This blog post will explore the roots of this belief system, examine its implications for our relationship with the natural world, and make a case for a shift towards Earth Jurisprudence.
The anthropocentric worldview can be traced back to ancient Greek philosophy and was further cemented during the Enlightenment. It is based on the idea that humans are distinct from and superior to the rest of the natural world due to our intellectual abilities. This belief has shaped our societies, our cultures, and our laws, and has led to an exploitative and often destructive relationship with the non-human world.
The consequences of this worldview have become increasingly apparent in recent years, with the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, pollution, and other environmental challenges reaching critical levels. With these challenges has come a growing recognition that our current legal and governance systems, rooted in anthropocentrism, are inadequate for addressing these issues and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our planet.
Enter Earth Jurisprudence, an emerging legal philosophy that challenges the anthropocentric worldview. Instead of viewing nature as a collection of resources to be used for human benefit, Earth Jurisprudence sees the natural world as a community of subjects with their own rights and intrinsic value. This approach seeks to balance the rights of humans with the rights of the non-human world, and to create legal systems that reflect this balance.
The shift towards Earth Jurisprudence is no easy task. It requires a fundamental rethinking of our laws, our institutions, and our cultural values. But the stakes could not be higher. As we face the existential threat of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, we must consider new ways of relating to and valuing the non-human world.
The anthropocentric worldview has brought us to where we are today, but it is clear that it cannot guide us into a sustainable future. It is time to consider a new approach, one that recognizes and respects the rights of all members of the Earth community. It is time for Earth Jurisprudence.