Track: Special Theme C
Deep Ecology and Ethics
Track Chair
Dr. Paul M. Pulé
In one of his last published works before he died, the Norwegian philosopher and founder of the Deep Ecology movement Arne Naess (2008) called our attention to the guidance embedded within three great Twentieth Century movements: the peace movement, the social justice movement and the environmental movement. Each of them stands as sentinels of great wisdom imploring us to build a better world for all. As the years march on, their tenets have galvanised a movement for the Twenty First Century that has become instrumental in defining our future - that being the Sustainability movement.
No great surprise then that Deakin University would prioritise a distinct stream focusing on the valuative aspects of the human/Nature relationship at the 2015 Tipping Point Conference, a stream titled: Deep Ecology & Ethics. Deep Ecology has grown from a single man's imp-like musings to a global compulsion to wed theory with practice on multiple fronts to address the problems of society and environment. The diversity of its teachings are as infinite as there are voices to engage in the conversation on people and planet. I suspect that Arne would be proud; his Ecosophy-T was intended to promote precisely that - pluralism with heart that reaches across traditional boundaries. It would seem that when we connect with this place within, no matter the ethical slant we take on the world, it becomes harder and harder to see ourselves as separate. Sustainability has much to gain from remembering this; its sciences, efforts, innovations, social constructs, institutions and structures all find their beginnings in thoughts guided by values. What better core value is there than to celebrate our belonging to each other; to reach for the ways we are similar rather than different.
Accordingly, this is a call for papers that feature the ethical pluralism needed to propel us beyond our current societal and environmental challenges. In this Deep Ecology & Ethics stream, emphasis is given to papers that prioritise personal and collective responsibility in a plethora of forms.
Contributions are prompted to broadly address conundrums such as the following:
- If we are to build sustainable communities, ought we see communities as ecosystems and put policies in place that reflect this?
- What does Deep Ecology offer a ‘no limits to growth' approach?
- Will technology save us?
- What of the children?
- What lessons are embedded within what we grow?
- How might Deep Ecology help steer us away from worsening Climate Change?
- Can we truly create a sustainable world if we are not also addressing the inequities between humans and Nature, men and women, the rich and the poor, the logical and the embodied, the pragmatic and the ideal?
- What is to be gained from pausing to hear the wisdom of wind's whispering?
- What does it feel like to have mud squeeze between our toes - really?
- How does place shape us? And why does this matter?
- What does it look like for Sustainability to be shaped by Deep Ecology?
Authors are encouraged to contribute in ways that address both principles and practices.
For further information, or to discuss the suitability of your topic for this stream, contact Dr. Paul M. Pulé: 0409 054 069 | paul@menaliveaustralia.com.au
References:
Naess, Arne. (2008). The Three Great Movements. In Alan Drengson & Bill
Devall Eds., The Ecology of Wisdom, pp. 99-104, Emeryville, CA: Counterpoint
Press.
You may submit your abstract by visiting the Ex Ordo abstract submission system (you will be required to setup an account first): http://isdrs2015.exordo.com/
