Arne Naess

1) His Biography:

Arne Naess (1912-2009) was a Norwegian philosopher, mountaineer, and environmental activist. He is best known for developing the concept of deep ecology, which has had a significant influence on the environmental movement. Naess’s life and work have been characterized by a commitment to social justice, ecological sustainability, and the search for meaning in human existence.

Arne Naess was born in Oslo, Norway, in 1912. His father was a prominent lawyer, and his mother was a pianist. Naess was interested in philosophy from a young age and began reading the works of Nietzsche and Heidegger while still a teenager. He attended the University of Oslo, where he studied philosophy, and received his doctorate in 1938.

In 1937, Naess joined an expedition to Nanga Parbat, a mountain in the Himalayas. The expedition was a disaster, with several members of the team dying in an avalanche. Naess was one of the survivors, and the experience had a profound impact on him. He later wrote that the experience made him realize the importance of humility and the need to respect the power of nature.

During World War II, Naess was involved in the Norwegian resistance movement, and after the war, he became a professor of philosophy at the University of Oslo. In the 1950s, he began to turn his attention to environmental issues, becoming one of the first people to raise concerns about the impact of human activity on the natural world.

In the 1960s, Naess began to develop his philosophy of deep ecology. This philosophy was based on the idea that all living beings have intrinsic value and that humans should respect and protect the natural world. Naess argued that the dominant worldview in Western societies was anthropocentric, meaning that it placed human beings at the center of the universe and saw nature as something to be exploited for human benefit. Naess believed that this worldview was not only morally wrong but also ultimately self-destructive, as it was leading to environmental degradation and ecological collapse.

Naess’s philosophy of deep ecology was influential in the environmental movement of the 1970s and 1980s. It was also the inspiration for the deep ecology movement, which sought to promote ecological sustainability and social justice.

In addition to his philosophical work, Naess was also a committed environmental activist. He was involved in campaigns to protect Norwegian fjords from industrial pollution and to stop the construction of a dam in Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park. Naess was arrested several times for his activism, but he remained committed to the cause throughout his life.

Naess was also an accomplished mountaineer, and he continued to climb into his 70s. He was particularly interested in the concept of “peak experiences,” which he described as moments of intense, transcendent experience that could be achieved through activities like climbing, meditation, or music. Naess believed that these experiences were essential to human well-being and that they could help people connect with the natural world and with each other.

Arne Naess died in 2009 at the age of 96. His legacy as a philosopher, mountaineer, and environmental activist is significant. His philosophy of deep ecology has influenced environmental thinking around the world, and his commitment to social justice and ecological sustainability continues to inspire people to this day.

2) Main Works:

Existentialism (1953):

Naess’s doctoral thesis, which explores the philosophical movement of existentialism and its relationship to other philosophical traditions.

Interpretation and Preciseness (1953):

A collection of essays that includes Naess’s thoughts on logic, epistemology, and the philosophy of science.

Scepticism (1968):

A critique of traditional epistemology and an exploration of the limits of human knowledge.

Communication and Argument (1970):

A collection of essays that explores the relationship between language, communication, and argumentation.

The Ecology of Wisdom (1991):

A collection of essays that explores Naess’s philosophy of deep ecology, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the need for humans to live in harmony with nature.

Life’s Philosophy: Reason and Feeling in a Deeper World (2010):

Naess’s final book, which reflects on his life’s work and his philosophy of deep ecology, emphasizing the importance of emotions and intuition in guiding ethical decision-making.

3) Main Themes:

Deep ecology:

Naess is best known for his development of the concept of deep ecology, which emphasizes the intrinsic value of non-human life and the need for humans to fundamentally shift their relationship with the natural world. Deep ecology posits that humans should view themselves as part of a larger, interconnected web of life, rather than as separate and superior to other species.

Ecosophy:

Naess also developed the idea of ecosophy, or ecological wisdom, which emphasizes the importance of understanding the interconnectedness of all things and the need for humans to live in harmony with nature. Ecosophy is concerned with developing a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between humans and nature, and using that understanding to guide actions and decision-making.

Gandhian nonviolence:

Naess was influenced by the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, particularly his emphasis on nonviolence as a means of achieving social and environmental change. Naess believed that nonviolent activism and resistance were essential for creating a more just and sustainable society.

The ethics of nature:

Naess argued that traditional ethical systems were insufficient for addressing the complex ethical issues raised by the relationship between humans and nature. He advocated for an ecological ethics that takes into account the well-being of non-human life and the environment as a whole.

Self-realization:

Naess believed that the pursuit of self-realization was essential for living a fulfilling and meaningful life. He argued that individuals should strive to cultivate a deep understanding of themselves and their relationship with the natural world, in order to live in harmony with their surroundings and achieve a sense of personal fulfillment.

Environmental activism:

Naess was a strong advocate for environmental activism, arguing that individuals and communities have a responsibility to take action to protect the natural world. He believed that environmental activism should be grounded in a deep understanding of the ecological systems and relationships at play, and should be guided by principles of nonviolence and respect for all forms of life.

4) Environmentology after Naess:

Environmentology, also known as deep ecology, is a philosophical and environmental movement that originated in the 1970s. It was introduced by Arne Naess, a Norwegian philosopher, and environmentalist. The movement emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living beings and the need for humans to respect and protect the natural world. After Naess, the field of environmentology has continued to evolve, with many scholars and activists building on his work.

One of Naess’s key contributions to environmentology was his concept of “ecosophy.” He argued that humans need to develop a new way of thinking about the relationship between humans and nature, one that recognizes the interdependence of all living beings and the importance of preserving biodiversity. Naess believed that this new way of thinking, which he called “deep ecology,” would lead to a more sustainable and just society.

Naess also developed the concept of “biocentric equality,” which states that all living beings have equal inherent value and should be respected and protected. This stands in contrast to anthropocentric views that prioritize human interests over those of other species. Naess argued that biocentric equality is necessary to prevent the exploitation and destruction of the natural world.

After Naess, many scholars and activists have continued to develop and refine his ideas. Some have focused on the need for environmental justice, recognizing that environmental problems disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Others have emphasized the importance of indigenous knowledge and traditional ecological knowledge in preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainability.

One notable figure in the post-Naess environmentology movement is Joanna Macy. Macy has developed the concept of “the Great Turning,” which refers to a shift from an industrial-growth society to a life-sustaining civilization. She argues that this shift requires both inner work, such as developing a sense of ecological identity, and outer work, such as activism and social change.

Another influential figure in the field is Vandana Shiva, an Indian scholar and environmental activist. Shiva has been a vocal critic of industrial agriculture and genetic engineering, arguing that these practices are harmful to both the environment and human health. She has also emphasized the importance of preserving traditional agricultural practices and promoting food sovereignty.

In recent years, environmentology has gained increased attention as the impacts of climate change have become more apparent. Many scholars and activists have emphasized the need for urgent action to address the climate crisis, including transitioning to renewable energy, protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, and reducing consumption and waste.

5) His Legacy:

Arne Naess was a Norwegian philosopher, environmental activist, and founder of the deep ecology movement. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential environmental philosophers of the 20th century, and his legacy continues to inspire and shape the global environmental movement. Naess’s philosophy emphasized the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of preserving biodiversity and ecological systems.

Naess’s deep ecology philosophy challenged the dominant anthropocentric view of nature and emphasized the intrinsic value of all living beings. He argued that humans are not the only species with inherent worth and that we have a moral obligation to respect and protect the natural world. Naess’s philosophy also emphasized the importance of non-human nature for its own sake, rather than just for its instrumental value to humans.

One of Naess’s most significant contributions to the environmental movement was the concept of “ecosophy T,” which stands for “ecology, philosophy, and Tvergastein.” Tvergastein was a mountain cabin in Norway that Naess used as a retreat for environmental activists, philosophers, and artists. Naess believed that a deep ecological perspective required a transformation of our worldview, and this transformation could only be achieved through a combination of ecological awareness, philosophical inquiry, and artistic expression.

Naess’s vision of ecosophy T inspired a generation of environmental activists and helped to create a community of like-minded individuals dedicated to the preservation of the natural world. Another significant contribution of Naess’s philosophy was the idea of “deep ecology.”

Deep ecology is a holistic perspective that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of preserving ecological systems. Deep ecology argues that humans are just one species among many and that our well-being is interconnected with the well-being of the natural world. This perspective challenges the dominant anthropocentric view of nature, which sees humans as separate from and superior to the rest of the natural world. Naess’s concept of deep ecology has had a profound impact on the environmental movement, and it continues to inspire environmental activists and philosophers today. Naess’s legacy also includes his contributions to the development of ecofeminism.

Ecofeminism is a feminist perspective that links the domination of women and nature and argues that both are oppressed by the patriarchal system. Naess was one of the first environmental philosophers to recognize the connections between feminism and environmentalism, and he helped to popularize the ecofeminist perspective.

Naess argued that the patriarchal system promotes a worldview that sees nature as a resource to be exploited and that this perspective is detrimental to the health of the planet. Naess’s work on ecofeminism has helped to create a more inclusive environmental movement that recognizes the connections between different forms of oppression.

Finally, Naess’s legacy includes his activism and advocacy for the preservation of the natural world. Naess was a passionate environmental activist who used his philosophical ideas to inspire others to take action. He was involved in numerous environmental campaigns, including the successful campaign to prevent the construction of a dam in Norway’s Mardøla River. Naess’s activism and advocacy helped to raise awareness about the importance of preserving biodiversity and ecological systems, and he inspired a generation of environmental activists to take up the cause.

6) Some Quotes:

“I want to be remembered as a professor who said a lot of stupid things to his students.” ― Arne Næss

“The remedy (or psychotherapy) against sadness caused by the world’s misery is to do something about it.” ― Arne Naess

“The history of cruelty inflicted in the name of morals has convinced me that the increase of identification might achieve what moralizing cannot: beautiful actions.” ― Arne Næss

In a group struggle you can keep the goal-directed motivation and the ability to work effectively for the realization of the goal stronger than the destructive, violent tendencies, and the tendencies to passivity, despondency, or destruction, only by making a constructive program part of your campaign and by giving all phases of your struggle, as far as possible a positive character. ― Arne Naess

Short-term violence contradicts long-term universal reduction of violence. ― Arne Naess

You can give a struggle a constructive character only if you conceive of it and carry it out as a struggle in favour of living beings and certain values, thus eventually fighting antagonisms, not antagonists. ― Arne Naess