Anthropocentrism focuses “primarily or exclusively on human needs and interests” (Raven, Berg & Hassenzahl, G-1) while Biocentrism tends to consider “all life-forms equally important” (Raven, Berg & Hassenzahl, G-2). The effects of these different perspectives and ideologies can be examined in light of the recent environmental events in Colorado, including the massive reported 1,000 year flooding. The recent flooding presents environmentalists with new challenges including oilfield spills, sewage spills, and contaminants leaking into local waterways (Slevin, 2013). These problems affect not only human beings but surrounding wildlife and the environment. Given recent news of the massive flooding in Colorado, one cannot help but view this natural disaster in terms of biocentrism and anthropocentrism. Looking at the recent flooding from an anthropocentric vantage, the earth was created for man, and has been exploited in such a way to serve man’s needs. Humans have taken advantage of technology to wipe away forests and other natural land masses to build cities and homes that are close together. Camping and other activities have contributed to the spread of massive forest fires which one year ago spread over the region, contributing to the lack of natural flora that may have prevented some of the tremendous flooding evidenced throughout the region during this most recent natural disaster.
Humans tend to view natural diversity and evolutionary development in terms of how it best suits them. However little attention has been given the effects of the flooding on natural wildlife, preserves, the forest in general and animals living in the region. Animals have been affected much like human beings, with their homes destroyed. Non-human life forms create value and contribute to the production and consumption of goods. The integrity of wild areas and wildlife should not merely be a concern of biocentrists, but something that becomes important to all human beings particularly those that are anthropocentric, as destroying wildlife can contribute to already impending natural disasters as was clearly evidenced by the most recent flooding. While man was not to blame for the extent of water infiltrating cities, certainly had nature been left in a more “natural” state, the extent of damage may not have been quite as severe. And what of the habitats of wild land creatures? Who exactly can decide the extent to which humans can interfere with the natural world (Bookchin, 2006)? The anthropocentric view continues to lend itself to the notion that nature is a “spectacle to be admired around a campfire” (Bookchin, 2006). But evolutionary “development” requires that eventually, biocentric and anthropocentric ideologies come together as social and cultural development demand change if nothing else, in the interests of human survival.
Use your promo and get a custom paper on
"Anthropocentric and Biocentric School of Thought".
- Bookchin, (2006). Social Ecology versus Deep Ecology, A Challenge for the Ecology Movement. Web. Retrieved: http://libcom.org/
- Climate and Capitalism. (2012). Murray Bookchin: Anthropocentrism Versus Biocentrism – A False Dichotomy.” Web. Retrieved: http://climateandcapitalism.com/
- Raven, P.H., Berg, L.R. & Hassenzahl, D.M. Environment, 7th Ed. Wiley Plus.
- Slevin, C. (2013). New Flood-Related Oil Spills Reported in Colorado, Presenting Environmental Challenges. Associated Press. Web. Retrieved: http://www.startribune.com
