Deep ecology is an environmental philosophy and social movement that emphasizes the importance of the relationship between humans and nature. It proposes that humans must radically change their relationship to nature solely for its usefulness to human beings to one that recognizes that nature has an inherent value. The core principle of deep ecology is the belief that the living environment as a whole should be respected and regarded as having certain basic moral and legal rights to live and flourish, independent of its instrumental benefits for human use.
Deep ecology is often framed in terms of the idea of a much broader sociality, and it proposes an embracing of ecological ideas and environmental ethics. It is also a social movement based on a holistic vision of the world. Deep ecologists hold that the survival of any part is dependent upon the well-being of the whole, and they criticize the narrative of human supremacy, which they say has not been a feature of most cultures throughout human evolution.
Deep ecology distinguishes itself from other types of environmentalism by making broader and more basic philosophical claims about metaphysics, epistemology, environmental ethics, and social justice. According to deep ecology, the self should be understood as deeply connected with and as part of nature, not disassociated from it. Deep ecologists often call that conception of human nature the “ecological self,” and it represents humans acting and being in harmony with nature, not in opposition to it.
Deep ecology is often viewed as radical in its opposition to capitalism and its advocacy of an ecological paradigm. Unlike conservation, deep ecology does not advocate the controlled preservation of the landbase, but rather non-interference with natural diversity except for vital needs. Deep ecology has been criticized for being too mystical, too religious, unrealistic, hypocritical, making of too large of claims, narrow-minded, and even anti-human. However, it is a valuable theory to contemplate and is ready for criticism.
