PHIL 2270 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: James Bay Project, Murray Bookchin, Eco-Socialism
14 Jun 2018
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“What is social ecology?” – Murray Bookchin
Illustrations that ecological problems are social in nature:
◦ Exxon tanker oil spills
◦ Deforestation by Maxxam corporation
◦ James Bay hydroelectric project in Quebec
First nature: the rooting of human beings in “biological evolutionary history”
Second nature: the social system created by human beings rooted in first nature.
Social ecology shows that society and nature are linked via evolution
Bookchin argues that what distinguishes human animals from non-human animals is that
the latter are creatures of instinct rooted in first nature, whereas the former use
technology to create a social world – 2nd nature.
Technology differentiates us from non-human animals – that this technology helps to
make the 2nd nature possible.
Reproductive and breeding behavior are the roots of the social order in humans
Hierarchical domination: tends to be benevolent and advisory such as chiefs in tribes
Class exploitation: involves the accumulation of wealth by the few at the expense of
other using coercion rather than persuasion.
Dominating Nature: in the language of indigenous peoples, there was no term of
‘nature’ as separate from the social order. The hierarchy and domination of humans by
humans gave rise to the idea that humans are opposed to nature.
Grow or die: The markets took on a life of their own and soon the need for selling
products for profit took hold. This gave rise to factories and competitive markets where
surviving meant growing, which in turn resulted in the destruction of the environment.
Social Ecology: to make society aware of its ethical obligations to the environment.
Recommends a synthesis of first nature and second nature.
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Illustrations that ecological problems are social in nature: exxon tanker oil spills, deforestation by maxxam corporation. First nature: the rooting of human beings in biological evolutionary history . Second nature: the social system created by human beings rooted in first nature. Social ecology shows that society and nature are linked via evolution. Bookchin argues that what distinguishes human animals from non-human animals is that the latter are creatures of instinct rooted in first nature, whereas the former use technology to create a social world 2nd nature. Technology differentiates us from non-human animals that this technology helps to make the 2nd nature possible. Reproductive and breeding behavior are the roots of the social order in humans. Hierarchical domination: tends to be benevolent and advisory such as chiefs in tribes. Class exploitation: involves the accumulation of wealth by the few at the expense of other using coercion rather than persuasion.
