Abolishing the Anthropocentric Viewpoint
- AJ
- Mar 10
- 2 min read
Anthropocentric Bias
The idea that humans are ethically and moral above all other living things. Meaning that humans are the center, most important or most superior entities in the universe. This creates an idea of species superiority.
Humans are superior to animals and nature
Animals and nature are only beneficial to humans due to the resources they provide
Industrial growth over preserving ecosystems and organic life
All other life forms are a “waste” of space
We often think like this subconsciously. We grow up learning all about human history and how countries have been created and destroyed over time. But, we don’t learn as much about the world's history, the history of the first plants, the first animals, only the first human civilizations.
We are stuck in thinking, “what does this do for me” instead of “what is the environmental cost of this product/action to the broader community of life and is this cost justified”. Hint: It’s usually not!
Environmental Impact
This type of thinking and belief leads to measuring natural resources and living things as only how they are useful for us. It’s like putting a price point on living things. This heavily promotes the exploitation of natural resources and the destruction of biodiversity. Leading to species extinction, environmental degradation and climate change.
Humans only started worrying about climate change and implementing policies to limit our impact when it began to affect us. This shows just how stuck in our anthropocentric ways we are.
However, not everyone thinks this way. From the book Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer wrote, “In the indigenous view, humans are viewed as somewhat lesser beings in the democracy of species. We are referred to as the younger brothers of Creation, so like younger brothers we must learn from our elders. Plants were here first and have had a long time to figure things out” (pg 346).
In this book, Kimmerer challenges this idea of anthropocentricism and argues that we are the ones who should be learning from the living species who came before us.
Biocentrism
We can adopt a more biocentric or life-centered view by expanding our morals to include the non-human world. Meaning, viewing other animals and plants as living things and extending the same compassion we give to our friends and family.
We can also adopt reciprocal relationships to non-human species, studying indigenous relationships where they respected the plants and animals and gave thanks to what mother nature provides for us. Although it is hard to truly reciprocate everything that the planet provides, we could do a much better job at being grateful for the resources we have access to.
It is also important to understand the interconnectedness of the planet. Realizing that our well being depends on the health of our planet is something that isn’t talked about as much as it should. With this, comes understanding the planetary boundaries we are consistently crossing.
By understanding our inherent bias and anthropocentric views, we can learn to broaden our thinking and extend the respect we give to fellow humans to entire ecosystems.
Together, we can change ego to eco !
Thank you for reading,
AJ :)
Sources:
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer. Published 2013 by Milkweed Editions. Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
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