On Warwick Fox’s Assessment of Deep Ecology

Environmental Ethics 19 (1):69-85 (1997)
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Abstract

I examine Fox’s tripartite characterization of deep ecology. His assessment abandons Naess’s emphasis upon the pluralism of ultimate norms by distilling what I refer to as the deep ecology approach to “Self-realization!” Contrary to Fox, I argue that his popular sense is distinctive and his formal sense is tenable. Fox’s philosophical sense, while distinctive, is neither necessary nor sufficient to adequately characterize the deep ecology approach. I contend that the deep ecology approach, as a formal approach to environmental philosophy, is not dependent upon and embodies much more than any single ultimate norm. I discuss how Naess’s deep ecology approach supports a wide diversity of ultimate norms. The only stipulation placed upon ultimate norms, to make them deep ecological ultimate norms, is that the so called deep ecology platform be derivable from them. The deep ecology approach is distinguished, in part, through its focus on diminishing environmentally degrading practices and policies by addressing root causes and by highlighting pseudo-conflicts. I present an interpretation of the deep ecology approach that hightlights Naess’s emphasis upon assisting individuals to arrive at thoroughly reasoned, consistent, and ecologically sound concrete decisions by supporting them in the articulation of their own personal ecological total views (ecosophies).

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Citations of this work

The Deep, Long-Range Ecology Movement 1960-2000?A Review.Bill Devall - 2001 - Ethics and the Environment 6 (1):18-41.
The deep, long-range ecology movement: 1960-2000--a review.Bill Devall - 2001 - Ethics and the Environment 6 (1):18-41.
Naess's Deep Ecology: Implications for the Human Prospect and Challenges for the Future.Harold Glasser - 2011 - Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy 54 (1):52-77.

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