Imagining Ecological Civilization (SEM137)

Description 

The word “civilization” is highly charged. Like “freedom”, “democracy”, “dignity” and “nature” to name a few, “civilization” is a rhetorical word employed to sway the hearer in some desired direction. Like these other terms, “civilization” is also vague and ambiguous resulting in it having to be well defined at the outset if it is to do meaningful philosophical work. In its modern Western form, the word “civilization” first appeared in eighteenth century France when a significant part of its use was in the service of cultural chauvinism and to legitimise modern Western colonization in its various forms. Against this background some contemporary commentators have dismissed the use of the term “civilization” altogether. However, it appears that despite its possible negative historical connotations, the word civilization keeps on stirring the imagination. The steady stream of publications with civilization, or civilizations as theme attest to the enduring allure of the topic.

Recently, a significant part of the discussion on civilization has shifted towards the theme of civilizational collapse – so called collapsology. This is in response to the various crises facing the contemporary world, not least of which is the climate crisis and the mass extinction event currently underway. 

As a contribution to the discussion, this seminar investigates the notion of ecological civilization, first put forward in the twentieth century in the Soviet Union and China, but gaining increasing traction all over the world. In the West the notion of ecological civilization has been taken up notably by process thinkers building on the thought of Alfred North Whitehead. In this seminar we contribute to the discussion by considering possible philosophical foundations for the notion of ecological civilization as well as possible characteristics of ecological civilization.

Objectives

1. To look at the notions of civilization and barbarism from a philosophical perspective
2. To link the idea of civilization with an ecological worldview
3. To consider the ethical and political implications of an ecological worldview

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge 

1. How civilization featured in history
2. Concerns with using the word civilization today
3. The characteristics of a specifically ecological civilization

Competence 

1. Interpret our current context in terms of the characteristics of ecological civilization and ecological barbarism
2. Take a reasoned position on the possibility of civilizational collapse
3. Explain what is specifically ecological in the expression “ecological civilization”

Steps 

Step 1: The idea of civilization: an historical overview.

Here we look at the origins of the idea of civilization, as well as how this idea has been used to interpret the rise and fall of civilizations throughout history. We briefly look at a few theories regarding civilization (such as those relating civilization to increased density, complexity and intensity of social order.)

Step 2: The change towards an ecological worldview as growth in civilization.

In this step we specifically try to interpret civilization through the idea of ecology and the prevalence of an ecological worldview. In this view ecology is broader than (natural) scientific practice and has to do with the intensity and extensity of experience.

Step 3: Characteristics of a possible ecological civilization to come.

This step involves a consideration of some proposals that have been made to propose and describe an ecological civilization to come. We consider specifically the ability to imagine the world as home as characteristic of ecological civilization. As we compare these proposals, we ask whether there are share characteristics to be discerned.

Step 4: Characteristics of a possible ecological barbarism to come.

The flip side of ecological civilization is ecological barbarism, and the latter remains a distinct possibility (some might even say a more probable possibility) for the future. If the broad, philosophical understanding of ecology is accepted, what would be the characteristics of ecological barbarism, and how might the descent into barbarism be avoided?

Evaluation Methods

A contribution of approx. 4000 characters, including spaces, for each step

Participation in the debate during the second week (quality over quantity)