PRELIMS SPINOZA 11/2/04 2:06 pm Page i SPINOZAAND DEEP ECOLOGY Spinoza and Deep Ecology explores the philosophical, psychological and political assumptions that underpin a concern for nature, offering specific suggestions how the domination of humans and nature may be overcome. It is primarily intended as an introduction to the philosophy of ecology, known as deep ecology, and to the way Spinoza’s philosophy has been put to this aim. Only a self-realization, along the lines of Spinoza’s philosophy, can afford a philosophy of care which is inclusive of humans and the non-human world, which recognizes the need for civil laws and democratic politics for human flourishing. In stark contrast to texts written by or on behalf of deep ecologists, Spinoza and Deep Ecology is not afraid of criticizing existing versions of deep ecology which fail to accept that human concerns are integral to environmental issues. PRELIMS SPINOZA 11/2/04 2:06 pm Page ii ASHGATE NEW CRITICAL THINKING IN PHILOSOPHY The Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Philosophy series aims to bring high quality research monograph publishing back into focus for authors, the international library market, and student, academic and research readers. Headed by an international editorial advisory board of acclaimed scholars from across the philosophical spectrum, this new monograph series presents cutting-edge research from established as well as exciting new authors in the field; spans the breadth of philosophy and related disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives; and takes contemporary philosophical research into new directions and debate. Series Editorial Board: Professor David Cooper, University of Durham, UK Professor Peter Lipton, University of Cambridge, UK Professor Sean Sayers, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK Professor Simon Critchley, University of Essex, UK Dr Simon Glendinning, University of Reading, UK Professor Paul Helm, King’s College London, UK Dr David Lamb, University of Birmingham, UK Professor John Post, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA Professor Alan Goldman, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Professor Joseph Friggieri, University of Malta, Malta Professor Graham Priest, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Professor Moira Gatens, University of Sydney, Australia Professor Alan Musgrave, University of Otago, New Zealand PRELIMS SPINOZA 11/2/04 2:06 pm Page iii Spinoza and Deep Ecology Challenging Traditional Approaches to Environmentalism Eccy de Jonge PRELIMS SPINOZA 11/2/04 2:06 pm Page iv First published 2004 by Ashgate Publishing Published 2016 by Routledge 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN 711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Copyright ©Eccy de Jonge 2004 The right of Eccy de Jonge to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data De Jonge, Eccy Spinoza & deep ecology: challenging traditional approaches to environmentalism. - (Ashgate new critical thinking in philosophy) 1.Spinoza, Benedictus de, 1632-1677 2. Deep ecology - Philosophy 3.Environmental ethics 4. Metaphysics I. Title 179.1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data De Jonge, Eccy Spinoza and deep ecology: challenging traditional approaches to environmentalism / Eccy de Jonge. p.cm – (Ashgate new critical thinking in philosophy) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-7546-3327-6 (alk. paper) 1.Deep ecology 2. Ecology -- Philosophy 3. Spinoza, Benedictus de, 1632–1677. I. Title II. Series. GE195.D42 2003 179'.1--dc21 2002043968 ISBN 13: 978-0-7546-3327-3 (hbk) PRELIMS SPINOZA 11/2/04 2:06 pm Page v To my mother, Toni Rolls PRELIMS SPINOZA 11/2/04 2:06 pm Page vi This page intentionally left blank PRELIMS SPINOZA 11/2/04 2:06 pm Page vii Contents Preface ix Acknowledgements xi Abbreviations xiii DEEPECOLOGY Introduction: Defining Deep Ecology 1 1 Deep Ecology and Environmental Ethics 9 An Integrated Philosophy of Care 9 The Ethics of Nature 15 2 Self-Realization: the Heart of Deep Ecology 35 The Nature of the Self 37 The Non-Moral Self 50 SPINOZA 3 The Metaphysics of Nature 61 The Aim of Metaphysics 62 From Metaphysics to Ethics 73 4 Spinoza and Deep Ecology 85 Self Analysis 86 The Metaphysics of Love 92 5 The Social and Political Self 109 The Politics of Harm 110 The Ideal Civil State 121 Concluding Remarks 145 Bibliography 147 Index 163 vii PRELIMS SPINOZA 11/2/04 2:06 pm Page vi This page intentionally left blank PRELIMS SPINOZA 11/2/04 2:06 pm Page ix Preface Deep ecologists aim to show how an harmonious relationship with nature can be made available, through extending care from the human to the non-human world. To this end, deep ecology sets itself up as the substantial basis for a philosophy of ecology as distinct from an environmental ethics. This book criticizes existing versions of deep ecology but argues that its philosophy of care can be substantiated in the writings of the seventeenth-century philosopher, Benedict de Spinoza (1632–77). Whilst Spinoza will not be able to uphold all the various tenets of deep ecology, his metaphysics can ground deep ecology’s core thesis: self-realization. It might be asked why it is necessary to establish a particular philosophy of ecology rather than an environmental ethics. Whilst it may be possible to give reasons why we ought to extend our concern to the non-human world, the incidence of war and other crimes against humanity makes such an ethics incomplete. In contrast, the doctrine of self-realization aims to show not why we oughtto care for the non-human realm but how the concern we show towards those who are closest to us can be developed to include all beings. But first we must know, how does care or concern arise? Spinoza will be able to answer this question through his philos- ophy of love. Whilst this will show how we can develop a deeper concern for both the human and the non-human world, it will exclude certain people who are unable to love, or who suffer insufficient self-love to embrace other beings – those who commit suicide, for instance. These are among the people who need the assistance of certain social and intellectual resources in order to be capable of love in Spinoza’s sense. This leads to an examination of Spinoza’s political theory, including the need for civil laws and his version of the democratic state. Deep ecologists, engaged in Spinoza’s metaphysics, have ignored his political requirements that enable self-realization to take place. Instead, those deep ecologists who do hold a political theory are tied to an approach which is opposed to Spinoza’s doctrine, for the sort of politics associated with deep ecology includes forms of violent direct action. This has made deep ecology seem highly controversial. The politics of deep ecology contradicts a philosophy whose underlying aim is to increase care which includes the human as well as the non-human world. This means that to substantiate deep ecology in Spinoza’s metaphysics requires separating deep ecological political theory from its philosophical foundations. We shall see that the need to divorce deep ecological philosophy from its violent and radical politics is a good thing, since its political and social views make deep ecology, as a viable philosophy, untenable. ix