Integral ecology
Encyclopedia
Integral ecology is an emerging field that applies Ken Wilber
's integral theory
to environmental studies
and ecological research. The field was pioneered in the late 1990s by integral theorist Sean Esbjörn-Hargens
and environmental philosopher Michael E. Zimmerman
.
and 70 schools of environmental thought. It integrates these approaches by recognizing that environmental phenomena are the result of an observer using a particular method of observation to observe some aspect of nature. This postmetaphysical formula is summarized as Who (the observer) x How (method of observation) x What (that which is observed). Integral ecology uses a framework of eight ecological worldviews (e.g.,eco-manager, eco-holist, eco-radical, eco-sage), eight ecological modes of research (e.g., phenomenology
, ethnomethodology
, empiricism
, systems theory
), and four terrains (i.e., experience, behaviors, cultures, and systems). See table below for an overview of a few of the schools of ecology that integral ecology weaves together:
Integral ecology is defined as the mixed methods study of the subjective and objective aspects of organisms in relationship to their intersubjective and interobjective environments. As a result integral ecology doesn’t require a new definition of ecology as much as it provides an integral interpretation of the standard definition of ecology, where organisms and their environments are recognized as having interiority. Integral ecology also examines developmental stages in both nature and humankind, including how nature shows up to people operating from differing worldviews.
Key integrative figures drawn on in integral ecology include: Thomas Berry
, Edgar Morin
, Aldo Leopold
, and Stan Salthe.
Ken Wilber
Kenneth Earl Wilber II is an American author who has written about mysticism, philosophy, ecology, and developmental psychology. His work formulates what he calls Integral Theory. In 1998, he founded the Integral Institute, for teaching and applications of Integral theory.-Biography:Ken Wilber was...
's integral theory
Integral Theory
Integral Theory is a philosophy posited by Ken Wilber that seeks a synthesis of the best of pre-modern, modern, and postmodern reality. It claims to be a "theory of everything," and offers an approach "to draw together an already existing number of separate paradigms into an interrelated network of...
to environmental studies
Environmental studies
Environmental studies is the academic field which systematically studies human interaction with the environment. It is a broad interdisciplinary field of study that includes the natural environment, built environment, and the sets of relationships between them...
and ecological research. The field was pioneered in the late 1990s by integral theorist Sean Esbjörn-Hargens
Sean Esbjörn-Hargens
Sean Esbjörn-Hargens is an integral theorist associated with Ken Wilber's integral approach. He is a founding member of Integral Institute. Esbjorn-Hargens is a professor of Integral Studies at John F. Kennedy University...
and environmental philosopher Michael E. Zimmerman
Michael E. Zimmerman (philosopher)
Michael E. Zimmerman is an integral theorist whose interests include Buddhism, Heidegger, Nietzsche, and Ken Wilber. After a year as Assistant Professor at Denison University, he was Professor of Philosophy at Tulane University from 1975 to 2005, and Director of the Institute for Humanities and...
.
Teachings
Integral ecology integrates over 80 schools of ecologyEcology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
and 70 schools of environmental thought. It integrates these approaches by recognizing that environmental phenomena are the result of an observer using a particular method of observation to observe some aspect of nature. This postmetaphysical formula is summarized as Who (the observer) x How (method of observation) x What (that which is observed). Integral ecology uses a framework of eight ecological worldviews (e.g.,eco-manager, eco-holist, eco-radical, eco-sage), eight ecological modes of research (e.g., phenomenology
Phenomenology (science)
The term phenomenology in science is used to describe a body of knowledge that relates empirical observations of phenomena to each other, in a way that is consistent with fundamental theory, but is not directly derived from theory. For example, we find the following definition in the Concise...
, ethnomethodology
Ethnomethodology
Ethnomethodology is an ethnographic approach to sociological inquiry introduced by the American sociologist Harold Garfinkel . Ethnomethodology's research interest is the study of the everyday methods people use for the production of social order...
, empiricism
Empiricism
Empiricism is a theory of knowledge that asserts that knowledge comes only or primarily via sensory experience. One of several views of epistemology, the study of human knowledge, along with rationalism, idealism and historicism, empiricism emphasizes the role of experience and evidence,...
, systems theory
Systems theory
Systems theory is the transdisciplinary study of systems in general, with the goal of elucidating principles that can be applied to all types of systems at all nesting levels in all fields of research...
), and four terrains (i.e., experience, behaviors, cultures, and systems). See table below for an overview of a few of the schools of ecology that integral ecology weaves together:
| Terrain of Experiences | Terrain of Cultures | Terrain of Behaviors | Terrain of Systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feminist Ecology | Ethno-Ecology | Chemical Ecology | Paleo-Ecology |
| Psychoanalytic Ecology | Linguistic Ecology | Cognitive Ecology | Historical Ecology |
| Deep Ecology | Process Ecology | Behavioral Ecology | Political Ecology |
| Ecopsychology | Information Ecology | Mathematical Ecology | Industrial Ecology |
| Romantic Ecology | Spiritual Ecology | Acoustic Ecology | Social Ecology |
Integral ecology is defined as the mixed methods study of the subjective and objective aspects of organisms in relationship to their intersubjective and interobjective environments. As a result integral ecology doesn’t require a new definition of ecology as much as it provides an integral interpretation of the standard definition of ecology, where organisms and their environments are recognized as having interiority. Integral ecology also examines developmental stages in both nature and humankind, including how nature shows up to people operating from differing worldviews.
Key integrative figures drawn on in integral ecology include: Thomas Berry
Thomas Berry
Thomas Berry, C.P. was a Catholic priest of the Passionist order, cultural historian and ecotheologian ....
, Edgar Morin
Edgar Morin
Edgar Morin is a French philosopher and sociologist born Edgar Nahoum in Paris on July 8, 1921. He is of Judeo-Spanish origin. He is known for the transdisciplinarity of his works.- Biography :...
, Aldo Leopold
Aldo Leopold
Aldo Leopold was an American author, scientist, ecologist, forester, and environmentalist. He was a professor at the University of Wisconsin and is best known for his book A Sand County Almanac , which has sold over two million copies...
, and Stan Salthe.
Articles
- Zimmerman, M. (1994). Contesting Earth’s Future: Radical Ecology and Postmodernity. Berkeley: University of California Press.
- Zimmerman, M. (1996). “A Transpersonal Diagnosis of the Ecological Crisis.” ReVision: A Journal of Consciousness and Transformation 18, no. 4: 38-48.
- Zimmerman, M. (2000). “Possible Political Problems of Earth-Based Religiosity.” In Beneath the Surface: Critical Essays in the Philosophy of Deep Ecology, edited by E. Katz, A. Light, and D. Rothenberg, 169-94. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
- Zimmerman, M. (2001). “Ken Wilber's Critique of Ecological Spirituality.” In Deep Ecology and World Religions, edited by D. Barnhill and R. Gottlieb, 243-69. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.
- Hargens, S. (2002). “Integral development: Taking the Middle Path Towards Gross National Happiness”, in Journal of Bhutan Studies Vol 6. Summer pp. 24-87.
- Zimmerman, M. (2004). “Humanity’s Relation to Gaia: Part of the Whole, or Member of the Community?” The Trumpeter 20 no. 1
- Zimmerman, M. (2005). “Integral Ecology: A Perspectival, Developmental, and Coordinating Approach to Environmental Problems.” World Futures: The Journal of General Evolution 61, nos. 1-2: 50-62.
- Esbjörn-Hargens, S. (2005). “Integral Ecology: The What, Who, and How of Environmental Phenomena,” in World Futures Vol 61, No. 1-2. pp. 5-49.
- Hochachka, G. (2005). Developing Sustainability, Developing the Self. Victoria, BC: POLIS Project on Ecological Governance.
- Esbjörn-Hargens, S. (2006). “Integral Research: A multi-method approach to investigating phenomena,” in Constructivism and the Human Sciences 11 (1-2) pp 79-107.
- Esbjörn-Hargens, S. (2006). “Integral Ecology: A Postmetaphysical Approach to Environmental Phenomena,” in AQAL: Journal of Integral Theory and Practice Vol 1, No. 1.
- Esbjörn-Hargens, S., & Wilber, K. (2006). Towards a comprehensive integration of science and religion: A post-metaphysical approach, in The Oxford Handbook of Science and Religion. Oxford: Oxford University Press pp 523 – 546.
- Esbjörn-Hargens, S. & Zimmerman, M. E. (2008). “Integral Ecological Research: Using IMP to Examine Animals and Sustainability” in AQAL: Journal of Integral Theory and Practice Vol 3, No. 1.
- Esbjörn-Hargens, S. & Zimmerman, M. E. (2008). “Integral Ecology” Callicott, J. B. & Frodeman, R. (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy. New York: Macmillan Library Reference.
Special Issues
- Esbjörn-Hargens, S. (Ed.) (2005). Integral Ecology special issue of World Futures Vol 61, No. 1-2. 163 pages.
Books
- Esbjörn-Hargens, S. & Zimmerman, M. E. Integral Ecology: Uniting Multiple Perspectives on the Natural World (Random House/Integral Books, 2008), ISBN 1-59030-466-7
External links
- http://integralecology-michaelz.blogspot.com/ Integral Ecology Blog
- http://www.i-edu.org/ Next Step Integral's Integral Ecology Seminar homepage
- http://www.colorado.edu/ArtsSciences/CHA/profiles/zimmerman.html Michael Zimmerman's homepage
- http://www.rhizomedesigns.org Sean Esbjörn-Hargens website