Democracy
& Nature, Vol. 4, No. 2/3
The Metaphysical
Uncertainties of Political Ecology
Manos Marangudakis
Abstract:
This essay examines main currents of
political-ecological thought. Three trends of ecologism are identified: firstly,
the 'ecocentric', which comprises the pre-war naturalist thinkers, as well
as the post-war New Right, volkisch ecology, Deep Ecology and part of
Ecofeminism. Secondly, the 'anthropocentric', which is currently cultivated
among ecosocialist theorists. Lastly, Social Ecology, which claims a common
ground between anthropocentrism and ecocentrism.
A critical analysis of all three trends
reveals an incompatibility between anthropocentrism and ecocentrism which leads
to either utilitarianism, or naturalism, but not to a happy blend of
civilisation and nature. The paper argues that between utilitarianism and naturalism stands a third
possible approach to the humans-nature relationship, the 'theocentric', as it is found among the classic
moral religions. It is suggested that theocentrism could be the absent medium
able to delineate a common ground and thus to harmonise the social and the
natural environments.
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