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To what extent is ecologism a clear rejection of anthropocentrism? You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer. - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 2
Question 4
To what extent is ecologism a clear rejection of anthropocentrism? You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:To what extent is ecologism a clear rejection of anthropocentrism? You must use appropriate thinkers you have studied to support your answer. - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 4 - 2021 - Paper 2
Step 1
Points of Agreement
Answer
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Rejection of Anthropocentrism: Deep ecologists and social ecologists reject anthropocentrism in all its forms. They view the anthropocentric view associated with mainstream ideologies as problematic, asserting that it underestimates the intrinsic value of nature and non-human entities.
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Nature’s Value: All ecologists agree that nature is not merely a commodity for human exploitation. This perspective emphasizes the need to respect the intrinsic value of the natural world, opposing utilitarian views that prioritize human needs.
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Thinkers to Support: Key thinkers such as Leopold and Bookchin advocate a radical shift away from anthropocentrism. They argue that humans should not see themselves as separate from nature but as integral parts of it, thus fundamentally rejecting an anthropocentric outlook.
Step 2
Points of Disagreement
Answer
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Enlightened Anthropocentrism: Some shallow ecologists, like Carson, support an enlightened anthropocentrism, which respects the environment but still prioritizes human welfare. This contrasts with deep ecologists who argue against any form of anthropocentrism.
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Social Ecology’s Approach: Social ecologists reject both the anthropocentric view and the co-centric view of deep greens. They propose that human needs and ecological concerns can coexist, hence suggesting that not all ecological perspectives entirely reject anthropocentrism.
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Value Allocation: Deep greens view nature as having intrinsic value, while shallow greens might prioritize human benefit, leading to conflicting ideas about how society should allocate value to nature.