Environmental Philosophy is Environmental Activism

Environmental Ethics is a crucial part to our understanding of the natural world. It is important for us to view the earth as our home, rather than just a piece of land we happened to end up on. Both biotic and abiotic factors within the environment contain their own purpose, whether we choose to believe it or not. By adding ethics into the environment, we see nature and all creatures in a different light. In the article, "Environmental Philosophy is Environmental Activism: The Most Radical and Effective Kind" by J. Baird Callicott, he talks about the possibility of a new worldview. A worldview that holds us morally responsible for the destruction of the natural world. Callicott states, "All environmentalists should be activists, but activism can take a variety of forms"(33). Direct action is of course environmental activism, but he argues that environmental philosophy is in fact a form of activism as well. This specific type of philosophy is of value as it shows the ethical/moral relationship we have with the earth. Throughout history, philosophers have played an essential part in changing the views of the world. Callicott writes, "In thinking, talking, and writing about environmental ethics, environmental philosophers already have their shoulders to the wheel, helping to reconfigure the prevailing cultural worldview and thus helping to push general practice in the direction of environmental responsibility"(34). It is important for humans to recognize that we are not the only living organisms roaming the planet. Change is often difficult to comprehend, but in this case it is crucial. We have to be able to share this new knowledge to future generations, before it is too late. Now the question is, how do we get there and what will actually drive this change?