Freedom of Species The Scourge of Anthropocentrism
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Jul 28, 2024 In this discussion, Dr. Eileen Crist, a professor emerita in Science, Technology and Society at Virginia Tech, delves into the troubling concept of anthropocentrism, which positions humans as the planet's paramount species. She traces its historical roots and explores its dire consequences, from ecological destruction to mass extinction. The conversation shifts towards alternatives like ecocentrism, emphasizing the intrinsic value of nature and the need for a shift in worldview. Dr. Crist inspires hope for collective action to dismantle human supremacy.
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Anthropocentrism Defined And Pervasive
- Anthropocentrism frames humans as central and entitled to use Earth's resources without restraint.
- This worldview invisibly shapes beliefs, policies, and actions toward nonhuman life.
RoboChop Example Of Tech Fixes
- Crist cites a 2013 Economist story where robots were used to chop jellyfish clogging a power plant.
- The example highlights technological fixes that ignore underlying ecological causes.
Human Supremacy Is Cultural, Not Natural
- Crist locates human supremacy in cultural conditioning rather than in immutable human nature.
- She traces invisible beliefs that the earth belongs to humanity and that humans are superior to other species.
