This thesis explores the ways in which key holistic thinkers over the course of the last three hundred years have articulated unity between the human subject and objective world. I borrow the term “holism” from the philosopher J. C. Smuts, who coined it in his 1936 work Holism and Evolution, and I use it here in an expanded sense that includes all thinkers in the Western tradition who, like Smuts, have been preoccupied with the question of unity. Although the nature of cosmic unity and the individual’s place within it have been questions for philosophical debate since the classical Greeks of the sixth and fifth centuries BC, from the seventeenth century onwards these questions became largely associated with a series of thinkers who sought to overcome the dualistic separation of subject and object introduced by Galileo, Descartes and others in the mechanistic philosophical tradition of Western thought. My consideration of the holistic tradition includes selected writings by Leibniz, Hegel, Whitehead and Arne Naess, cofounder and key communicator of the deep ecology movement. In my discussion of these authors I observe an emerging pattern that has gradually carried holistic thought away from its traditional dependence on an absolute universal Being as the origin of unity in the world, towards an increasing emphasis on Becoming as the origin of Being. This pattern is confirmed by my broad analyses of Renaissance philosophy and of the Counter-Enlightenment thinkers Vico, Hamann and Herder. It is further confirmed by Naess’ vision of the deep ecology movement, which emphasizes plurality and diversity in the struggle to create more ecologically sustainable forms of human living. The pattern is challenged, however, by my discussions of Heraclitus and of the deep ecology movement, which both exhibit features that also contradict the existence of a definite linear progression “from Being to Becoming.” Insofar as the deep ecology movement recognizes the validity of a broad diversity of philosophical views and premises as grounds for ecological action and decision-making, it is part of a larger movement in contemporary societies that is helping create an open space wherein all perspectives are appreciated as valuable in their own right. This movement seeks to challenge all absolute and hegemonic claims to truth (which in the early twentieth century gave rise to fascism and in our present day continue to inform our views of nature and the self), and, as I suggest, is also contributing to the emergence of an apophatic perspective in our own day that is a precondition for change. / Graduate / 0422 / 0585 / jdesser@uvic.ca

Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) are considered a suitable strategy to combine nature conservation and poverty alleviation in southern Africa, usually through ecotourism. There have, however, been critical voices questioning whether this is actually succeeding. Many researchers claim that the conservation and tourism efforts are leaving the local communities at greater risks of impoverishment rather than helping them. This study consults previous research to examine this issue through the examples of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), and the communities living close to its National Parks in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The methodology used is a systematic literature study of 26 secondary sources. The study finds that the previous research reveals that the experiences of the communities vary between different areas in the TFCA. The general feeling is that of displacement in different ways, except in those communities that have found ways of empowering and developing themselves; through tourism schemes. Otherwise, the attitude from the authorities in the national parks of the TFCA seems to be that the conservation and tourism efforts in the area are given priority over the local residents’ needs. Theories such as systems ecology, sustainable development and deep ecology may have answers to this issue on paper, however judging from the reality presented in the literature used in this study they are not realistic in practice. What is obvious is that economic interests are prioritized in the GLTFCA just as in the rest of the world.

This dissertation begins with the hypothesis that sacred places and their stories are connected in complex ways. This refers to place-based sacred places; that is, places which gain their sacred qualities from their natural environment. The two main examples used are both located in the U.K.: Puzzlewood and the Forest of Dean, and Stonehenge. It is further theorized that the stories within these places are repositories of an ancient wisdom; a memory of what it means to live with a sense of the divine in nature. Paying attention to those stories, and to the presences found in these places, may engender a greater appreciation of the interconnectedness of the human world to the natural world and the sacred in nature. Thus an ethic of care for that storied place may develop, and a more harmonious relationship between people and the larger environment may come about. Such an ethic of care may be central in finding solutions to current environmental problems, and preventing future ones. Thus a new story about our relationship with the Earth, based on ancient wisdom, may become the conduit for a kinder, gentler future, where peace, social justice, and environmental care inform both cultural paradigms and individual worldviews. This fusion of stories, the sacred, and the sacred in nature as a way towards self-realization, the development of an ethic of care, and the vision a more harmonious future, is the unique contribution of this dissertation. Bringing together these diverse strands required a multidisciplinary approach with multiple methodologies, particularly phenomenology to account for experiences in or of sacred places, and hermeneutics to address the stories. In addition, there was a need to include some of the basics of system theory to explore both natural and social systems, and for philosophical inquiry to discuss spirituality and cosmology. Other elements of this dissertation include a background of the ways in which history is presented, how this contributes to the paradigms and worldviews found in the modern Western world, and how those paradigms affect thinking about sacredness in nature, as well as a discussion of why stories are central to all of our lives, and how places come to be imbued with stories. All of this is then set within a framework of the principles of the deep ecology movement. To bring all this together with a cohesive collection of methods, the concentric circles model was created and is explained. Additionally, this dissertation presents five criteria that could prove useful in assessing sacredness in place when such sacred sites are contested, as happens quite often. This too may help to protect (care for) these places. / Graduate / 0422 / 0322 / michelleabeauchamp@gmail.com

A questão do cuidado com o ambiente deve ser olhado com seriedade e sem demora de modo a não comprometer a qualidade de vida do planeta Terra e dos que nela habitam. Esta questão lança um olhar preocupante sobre o trinômio ser humano-natureza-consumo, exigindo hoje estratégias sustentáveis e criativas que possam promover a mudança de comportamento de adultos e crianças e integrá-los a natureza. Desta forma, esta pesquisa visa levantar e contribuir com estratégias de apoio ao aprendizado do Ecodesign e da Ecologia Profunda como conhecimentos complementares, para compor um guia de atividades para ser utilizado com alunos do quarto ano do ensino fundamental. A metodologia foi desenvolvida junto das escolas públicas estaduais Presidente Roosevelt e Prof. Sylvio Torres da cidade de Porto Alegre. Ela traz um enfoque qualitativo, apresentando características dos tipos descritivo, exploratório, metodológico e de campo, utilizando-se de relatórios de observação como principal instrumento para coleta dos dados. Para organizar e discutir os dados coletados empregou-se o método de análise de conteúdos. Os resultados da pesquisa evidenciaram a importante contribuição do educador em sala de aula e identificaram sete atividades e vinte e quatro vídeos adequados para o aprendizado da Ecologia Profunda e do Ecodesign, as quais compõem o guia de atividades proposto para os alunos das escolas pesquisadas. / The issue of care for the environment should be looked at seriously and immediately so as not to compromise the quality of life on planet Earth and its inhabitants. This issue takes a look of concern on three pillars: human-nature-consumption, now requiring creative and sustainable strategies that can promote behavior change of adults and children and integrate them into nature. Thus, this research is intended to raise and contribute to strategies to support learning Ecodesign and Deep Ecology as additional knowledge to compose an activity guide for use with fourth graders of elementary school. The methodology was developed with the state public schools President Roosevelt and Professor Sylvio Torres in the city of Porto Alegre. It brings a qualitative approach, presenting characteristics of the types descriptive, exploratory, methodological and field reporting using observation as the main instrument for data collection. To organize and discuss the collected data we used the method of content analysis. The survey results showed the important contribution of the teacher in classroom activities and identified seven activities and twenty-four videos suitable for learning of Deep Ecology and Ecodesign, which make up the proposed activity guide for the students of the schools surveyed.

A questão do cuidado com o ambiente deve ser olhado com seriedade e sem demora de modo a não comprometer a qualidade de vida do planeta Terra e dos que nela habitam. Esta questão lança um olhar preocupante sobre o trinômio ser humano-natureza-consumo, exigindo hoje estratégias sustentáveis e criativas que possam promover a mudança de comportamento de adultos e crianças e integrá-los a natureza. Desta forma, esta pesquisa visa levantar e contribuir com estratégias de apoio ao aprendizado do Ecodesign e da Ecologia Profunda como conhecimentos complementares, para compor um guia de atividades para ser utilizado com alunos do quarto ano do ensino fundamental. A metodologia foi desenvolvida junto das escolas públicas estaduais Presidente Roosevelt e Prof. Sylvio Torres da cidade de Porto Alegre. Ela traz um enfoque qualitativo, apresentando características dos tipos descritivo, exploratório, metodológico e de campo, utilizando-se de relatórios de observação como principal instrumento para coleta dos dados. Para organizar e discutir os dados coletados empregou-se o método de análise de conteúdos. Os resultados da pesquisa evidenciaram a importante contribuição do educador em sala de aula e identificaram sete atividades e vinte e quatro vídeos adequados para o aprendizado da Ecologia Profunda e do Ecodesign, as quais compõem o guia de atividades proposto para os alunos das escolas pesquisadas. / The issue of care for the environment should be looked at seriously and immediately so as not to compromise the quality of life on planet Earth and its inhabitants. This issue takes a look of concern on three pillars: human-nature-consumption, now requiring creative and sustainable strategies that can promote behavior change of adults and children and integrate them into nature. Thus, this research is intended to raise and contribute to strategies to support learning Ecodesign and Deep Ecology as additional knowledge to compose an activity guide for use with fourth graders of elementary school. The methodology was developed with the state public schools President Roosevelt and Professor Sylvio Torres in the city of Porto Alegre. It brings a qualitative approach, presenting characteristics of the types descriptive, exploratory, methodological and field reporting using observation as the main instrument for data collection. To organize and discuss the collected data we used the method of content analysis. The survey results showed the important contribution of the teacher in classroom activities and identified seven activities and twenty-four videos suitable for learning of Deep Ecology and Ecodesign, which make up the proposed activity guide for the students of the schools surveyed.

A questão do cuidado com o ambiente deve ser olhado com seriedade e sem demora de modo a não comprometer a qualidade de vida do planeta Terra e dos que nela habitam. Esta questão lança um olhar preocupante sobre o trinômio ser humano-natureza-consumo, exigindo hoje estratégias sustentáveis e criativas que possam promover a mudança de comportamento de adultos e crianças e integrá-los a natureza. Desta forma, esta pesquisa visa levantar e contribuir com estratégias de apoio ao aprendizado do Ecodesign e da Ecologia Profunda como conhecimentos complementares, para compor um guia de atividades para ser utilizado com alunos do quarto ano do ensino fundamental. A metodologia foi desenvolvida junto das escolas públicas estaduais Presidente Roosevelt e Prof. Sylvio Torres da cidade de Porto Alegre. Ela traz um enfoque qualitativo, apresentando características dos tipos descritivo, exploratório, metodológico e de campo, utilizando-se de relatórios de observação como principal instrumento para coleta dos dados. Para organizar e discutir os dados coletados empregou-se o método de análise de conteúdos. Os resultados da pesquisa evidenciaram a importante contribuição do educador em sala de aula e identificaram sete atividades e vinte e quatro vídeos adequados para o aprendizado da Ecologia Profunda e do Ecodesign, as quais compõem o guia de atividades proposto para os alunos das escolas pesquisadas. / The issue of care for the environment should be looked at seriously and immediately so as not to compromise the quality of life on planet Earth and its inhabitants. This issue takes a look of concern on three pillars: human-nature-consumption, now requiring creative and sustainable strategies that can promote behavior change of adults and children and integrate them into nature. Thus, this research is intended to raise and contribute to strategies to support learning Ecodesign and Deep Ecology as additional knowledge to compose an activity guide for use with fourth graders of elementary school. The methodology was developed with the state public schools President Roosevelt and Professor Sylvio Torres in the city of Porto Alegre. It brings a qualitative approach, presenting characteristics of the types descriptive, exploratory, methodological and field reporting using observation as the main instrument for data collection. To organize and discuss the collected data we used the method of content analysis. The survey results showed the important contribution of the teacher in classroom activities and identified seven activities and twenty-four videos suitable for learning of Deep Ecology and Ecodesign, which make up the proposed activity guide for the students of the schools surveyed.

This thesis is an examination of transformative effects of literature on environmental identity. The work begins by examining and expanding the Deep Ecology concept of identification-with-nature. The potential problems with identification through direct encounters are used to argue for the relevance of the possibility of identification-through-literature. Identification-through-literature is then argued for using the hermeneutic and narrative theories of Hans-Georg Gadamer and Paul Ricoeur, as well as various examples of nature writing and fiction.

This diploma thesis is inquired into the problematic of anthropocentrism and it' s relationship with the living nature. It is obvious that the anthropocentrism contributed to the current ecological crisis. The author is trying to delimit the definition framework of anthropocentrism and to find it's social, scientific even religious roots and to find the possible ways out of the crisis. The author also presents the key-concepts and theories that are non-anthropocentrically based and that are presenting the possible alternative attitude to the environment connected with the transformation of human values. Concretely it engages James Lovelocks Gaia Theory, Arne Naesses deep ecology and ecosophy or the Fritjof Capras new paradigm. Farther away it also follows the possibility of practical change of our life-concepts and as it's example describes the new concept of voluntary simplicity and New Age.

This essay explores the theme of deep ecology in Margaret Atwood’s novel Oryx and Crake. It analyzes how the novel deals with the topics of environmental disasters and the apocalypse. It describes humanity’s effect on the planet and how the inventions of the Crakers and the BlyssPluss pill can be seen as good things. It argues that Crake can be seen as the savior of this new and improved world that he creates and that the human species’ annihilation is the only way. / Den här uppsatsen utforskar tema såsom ekokritik och djupekologi i Margaret Atwoods roman Oryx and Crake. Den analyserar hur romanen behandlar  ämnena miljökatastrofer och apokalypsen. Den beskriver människans effekt på planeten och hur uppfinningar såsom Crakers och BlyssPluss pillret kan vara bra saker. Vidare argumenterar den att Crake kan vara vår räddare för denna nya och förbättrade värld som han har skapat och hur förintelsen av människan är den enda rätta vägen.

Deep ecology seeks answers to and treats the earth's ecological crisis by digging down to the root of the problem. In deep ecology, an ecocentric worldview where human life is part of all living things is preferred over the anthropocentric view where humanity places itself at the center of the world. The purpose of this study was to investigate perceived interconnectedness with the rest of nature and how that connection affects possible environmental activism. Engagement can stem from various reasons and the study also examines whether or not it is based on the principles of deep ecology. With the intention to answer the study's research questions, a survey consisting of 18 questions was designed with both closed and open-ended answers, which enabled the use of both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods. The survey was distributed online, and data were collected from 95 individuals, 72% female and 28% male. The results showed that a 93% of the respondents see themselves as environmentally conscious people. A statistically significant majority agreed with the eight principles linked to the deep ecology movement, and it can therefore be assumed that these principles are at least partially accepted by environmentally conscious people. 55% of the respondents replied that the reason for their environmental activism is that they are committed to "nature of which we are all a part", this result is of interest regarding the focus on the ecocentric worldview in this study. The results show that a statistically significant majority agree that a stronger sense of connection with nature makes them want to make more environmentally conscious choices. This particular result encourages continued research of the subject, and a continuation of digging deeper for possible solutions to the ecological crisis. / Djupekologin söker svar till, och behandlar, jordens ekologiska kris genom att gräva ner till roten av problemet. En ekocentrisk världsbild där människan är en del av allt levande föredras framför den antropocentriska bilden där människan sätter sig själv i centrum. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka människans upplevda samhörighet med resten av naturen och hur den samhörigheten påverkar eventuellt miljöengagemang. Detta engagemang kan komma från olika anledningar och studien ville även undersöka huruvida det grundar sig i djupekologins principer eller ej. För att besvara studiens frågeställningar utformades en enkät bestående av 18 frågor med både slutna och öppna svarsalternativ, vilket möjliggjorde användandet av både kvantitativ och kvalitativ analysmetod. Enkäten distribuerades online och data samlades in från 95 individer, varav 72% kvinnor och 28% män. Resultatet visade att en majoritet av respondenterna, 93%, svarade att de ser sig själva som miljömedvetna människor. En signifikant majoritet instämde med de åtta principerna kopplade till den djupekologiska rörelsen och det kan därför antas att dessa principer är minst delvis godtagna av miljömedvetna människor. 55% av respondenterna svarade även att anledningen till deras miljöengagemang är att de engagerar sig för ”Naturen som vi alla är en del av”, detta resultat är av intresse med tanke på fokuset på denekocentriska världsbilden. Resultatet visar också att en signifikant majoritet svarar instämmande till att en starkare känsla av samhörighet med naturen får dem att vilja göra mer miljömedvetna val. I synnerhet detta resultat gör att studien uppmuntrar till fortsatt utforskning av ämnet, och till att gräva djupare efter lösningar till den ekologiska krisen.