philosophical underpinings

[James Hunter]

I'd like to discuss an idea that may seem a bit far-fetched to many people. But it seems to me one of the main underlying reasons for our being in the dangerous state we are
in regarding ecological matters is philosophical. It stems, at least
in part, from the underlying mechanistic/technological world view
that dominates our society. Let me see whether I can summarize my
understanding of this view in just a few sentences. The m/t world
view holds that all reality is reducible to something called “matter”
which in itself is without consciousness, purpose or meaning. Life
forms and consciousness are simply complex patterns of waves and
packets of this “matter” – patterns that flow in and out of
existence randomly, by accident, at least until human beings with
their technologies give it all direction. From this perspective it
seems reasonable to manipulate these packets at will. No particular
pattern, after all, is any more meaningful or valuable than any
other, in and of itself. Since we find ourselves wanting comfort and
pleasure, it is only reasonable to manipulate reality however we want
to toward this aim. Given this philosophy, BP, Monsanto, Halburton
and all that the multinationals do makes sense. We can make mistakes,
as we have in the Gulf of Mexico, but the idea of replacing the
“natural order” with a humanly engineered one is in principle
seen as a valid project. Reality, having no fundamental laws except
the laws of physics is seen as almost infinitely malleable.

Of course the other underlying philosophy that is contributing to the destruction of our habitat and the probable demise of the human race is neo-liberal capitalism.
Here the assumption is that a world driven entirely by the profit
motive (which benefits only a small minority of people) will somehow
produce a world that is in the interest of the rest of us. This view
has led to the creation of the United States World Empire which
serves the interests of the multi-national corporations.

The two views have a common denominator. The aim of technology (as it presently exists) is prediction and control. The same aim dominates the Empire.
Prediction, and control. Both philosophies lead to our species, or
at least powerful members of our species, attempting to impose an
order on the rest of the world without regard to what the rest of the
world wants. Both operate out of a philosophy of domination rather
that accommodation.

Presently the huge edifice that has been built on this premise of domination and infinite malleability, seems to be collapsing. We see this both in the economic collapse and
in the Gulf of Mexico. (Many other places too, but these are the most obvious.)
The solutions that will be suggested by those in power will be more
technology and a better controlled empire. They will attempt to
create a world based on ecological and political fascism. Certainly
these two massive failures of the system have caused a lot of people
to question the current system. The poor are not seeing the wealth
trickle down. And all of us are sickened by the destruction of one
beautiful habitat after another.

My thesis is that if we do not become clear on the fact that what is happening is the logical outcome of society's most fundamental assumptions about how reality is put together,
we will not be in good position to respond to the current crisis in a
relevant manner. I would like, in other words, to discuss the
philosophical underpinnings of the current crisis.

Jim

[James Hunter]

I think we need to BEGIN with becoming clear in ourselves, but would not leave it at that. But I would be curious what you mean by "become clear in ourselves."

jim