As an Environmental Studies major I have learned about vicious natural feedback loops, immense food chains, and the surprising interconnectivity of the world. I have investigated the Gaia hypothesis, delved into Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac, and tackled Gregory Bateson’s ideologies on existence. Based on my studies and personal experiences, Holism is by far the most appealing approach to Environmental Ethics. The natural world and everything that exists within it, including humans, are connected in an inconceivable and fluctuating web.
I prefer Holism because it identifies humans as simply another member of the greater biotic community, not something superior to it. So often we humans separate ourselves from the natural world and believe we supersede any environmental aspect or organism. We fail to recognize that although we have developed extensive technologies, cultures, and infrastructure, we are still biological beings subject to fluctuations and challenges within the natural world. As equal members of the biological community we must be mindful of our personal choices and how they impact the greater community. Holism focuses on the health and condition of the whole – the community – the entire planet.
Holism also allows the sacrifice (for lack of a better word) of individuals for the good of the whole. While this could be interpreted to the extreme, such as condoning human sacrifices, I support a more practical and realistic approach. The brilliance of Holism is that it can work in tandem with Sustainability. It can pertain to, yes, selective hunting, but it can also pertain to one’s personal decisions. Forgoing certain luxuries, such as purchasing a Hummer, can result in a better ecological community.
