EURO-ECO 2009 Hanover 3 - 4 Dezember 2009	Environmental, Engineering - Economic and Legal Aspects for Sustainable Living
	European Academy of Natural Sciences, Hanover European Scientific Society, Hanover University of Bremen, Bremen

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V.A. Burkovskaya

One of the profound and philosophical reasons why present-day ecological education is of low efficiency is that there is apparent anthropocentrism in the perception of the environmental reality. A clear picture in respect of its origin, essence and the necessary extent of limitation can in particular contribute to its overcoming.

Ecology pertains to sciences of great ideological potential (equally with astronomy, synergetics, theory of systems and others). Its principles and system of categories are formed in close connection with the ontological and the epistemological approaches of different philosophical schools and currents to the problem of relationship between man, society and nature. Thus, existentialism interprets the whole external world, including nature as something hostile to man. In accordance with Christian theocentric philosophy man created by God in his own image and likeness is destined to rule nature. At the same time all the major forms of world outlook (mythological, religious, ordinary, artistic, philosophical) in spite of considerable differences with regard to the interaction of man and nature show the presence of anthropocentric posture. Thus the antique period introduced the principle stating that “man is the measure of all things“. Socrates called on philosophers:”Nosce te ipsum”. Philosophy of subjective idealism tended to formulate and solve every problem, including ontological in terms of man’s subjectiveness within the framework of consciousness. Objective idealism seemed to be on the way of overcoming the limited framework, placed, however, in the centre of the world “ideas” (Plato), “nous” (Aristotle), “absolute idea” (Hegel), etc., i.e. one deals with anthropomorphic synonyms again.

There are other manifestations of anthropocentrism: anthropological philosophy (L.Feuerbach), anthropic principle (in interpreting the Universe); anthropomorphism (ascribing human form and attributes to nature) is connected with it to a considerable degree. It is also known that the tendency to idealize things was generally prevailing in the history of philosophical thought.

Anthropocentrism would certainly reflect both man’s nature (egoism) and authoritarian regimes, widespread in traditional society, with the cult of their leaders.

During the Middle Ages anthropocentrism used to manifest itself in a religious, mediated and contradictory form. As L.Feuerbach showed, the image of God was a fantastic image of man, whom it was supposed to glorify and crush at the same time. During the Renaissance anthropocentrism found its vivid expression in humanism. Industrial societies have made anthropocentrism more aggressive, pragmatic, it has lost the veil of romanticism and become, which is the most crucial moment, self-destructive, posing a threat to the very foundation of man’s existence (low standards of morality, a threat of an all-destructive war, destroying the balance of the environment and the like).

What is the essence of anthropocentrism with regard to ecology?

1. Man is of the greatest value. Nature is man’s property.
2. The world has a hierarchal arrangement. Man is on top.
3. The world of people is opposed to the world of nature.
4. Nature is perceived as an object of man’s manipulations, as impersonal “surroundings”.
5. The purpose of interaction of man and nature is meeting pragmatic demands of man.
6. Ethical norms and rules are valid only in the world of people.

Even on the face of it, the “codex” is to be understood as an incentive to exploiting nature without restraint, the eventual result of which can be only destruction of nature and mankind. Overcoming the attitude is a necessary condition to prevent an ecological catastrophe. At the same time combating anthropocentrism does not exclude a certain care, because the subject in question concerns ”Holy of Holies”, i.e. man’s egoism. In this respect, apparently, one should distinguish as clearly as possible wild, primitive and contemporary anthropocentrism. In a broad sense, anthropocentrism is not to overcome. It was impossible even for theocentrism. Where their own interests were at stake, people preferred sinning and then asking God for mercy. 93 per cent of the grown-up population in the USA regard themselves as believers. This fact is in contradiction with the statistics of crimes, however.

And why deny hierarchy in nature, if it is reality. Hierarchy not only means domination and subordination, but also a ranking according to a degree of complexity, perfection, etc. Putting man on a par with animal is crushing and ruining him. Calling for their “equality” may naturally excite apprehension and protest, making difficulties for developing new ecological culture. It is appropriate to draw here certain analogies: combating racism in the USA, together with undoubted success, resulted in aggressive attitude towards black Americans; fighting for women’s equality led to aggressive feminism.

In present-day ecological education it is of considerable importance to observe the principle of tolerance, keep within limits and avoid extremes.