Integral Ecology
- Considering "Integral Ecology" Threads
Secular/Scientific:
Planet Citizen Vision of Living Earth
It's all connected --- It's all related
GreenPolicy360: The idea/concept of connectedness is central to understanding many fields, from science to spirituality.
When we, at GreenPolicy360, speak of Eco-nomics we are shifting a paradigm of classical economics. The ideas of Adam Smith or Karl Marx in the 1700s and 1800s is not in alignment with the 21st Century realities. A dialectic, mechanistic, cause-effect science has given way to new understandings, fluid, dynamic, shades of meaning as levels of interactions of 'things' seen and perceived in new ways.
At GreenPolicy360 we have envisioned a 'New Economics' and ventured into Eco-spirituality and science merging. Albert Einstein can be a reference to the idea of this 'inter-relatedness'. Let's modestly start with an Einsteinian thesis...
○ "Our separation from each other is an optical illusion... Everything is connected. The greatest tragedy of human existence is the illusion of separateness.” -- Albert Einstein
In German, this is how he wrote it: Ein Mensch ist ein räumlich und zeitlich beschränktes Stück des Ganzen, was wir „Universum“ nennen. Er erlebt sich und sein Fühlen als abgetrennt gegenüber dem Rest, eine optische Täuschung seines Bewusstseins. Das Streben nach Befreiung von dieser Fesselung [or Täuschung] ist der einzige Gegenstand wirklicher Religion. Nicht das Nähren der Illusion sondern nur ihre Überwindung gibt uns das erreichbare Maß inneren Friedens.
And translated to English: "A human being is part of the whole, called by us “universe,” limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a prison, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons close to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from our prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all humanity and the whole of nature in its beauty."
Another translation into English from the original German:
○ "A human being is a spatially and temporally limited piece of the whole, what we call the “Universe.” He experiences himself and his feelings as separate from the rest, an optical illusion of his consciousness. The quest for liberation from this bondage [or illusion] is the only object of true religion. Not nurturing the illusion but only overcoming it gives us the attainable measure of inner peace."
We, at GreenPolicy360, as befits our name, agree with Albert E.
Come along on our journey now. Think of riding waves, surfing in a way...
We are a paradigm, a noun and a verb, a way of thinking, creating, being...
- Einstein: We are of the Whole of the 'Universe'
Within a modern environmental movement, a realization of connectivity between living systems has come forward in scientific and spiritual realms. An eco-ethics and key values are opening doors enabling new ways of seeing.
"Integral Ecology" developed in the 1990's as a cosmology of physics, a 'Kosmos', a paradigm of whole system conceptual thought.
The secular threads of Integral Ecology comprise a multi-dimensioned tapestry of thoughts, beliefs, scientific, metaphysical, and theoretical. The interdisciplinary nature of Integral Ecology ranges from 'Gaia' and 'Deep Ecology', to 'Quantum Dynamics', Wave, Particle, and Energy Theory. The great minds in the history of ideas have been looking to understand, or glimpse, a 'Unified Field Theory', or 'Laws of the Universe' over ions and we, as Planet Citizens with Stardust Origins are still voyaging and searching...
Threads - Religious/Inter-Faith:
"Integral Ecology" articulated in the second decade of the 21st century and highlighted by the Catholic Church
- Pope Francis writes of responsibility for "the Commons". His encyclical to some 1.2 billion Catholics focuses on "Integral Ecology"
Pope Francis on the Environment
October 2023
On the first day of a global Catholic 'summit', a Laudate Deum call to protect the environment is announced following up the Laudato Si encyclical, a first-of-its-kind "Integral Ecology" letter to the billion+ members and to the interfaith global community. The release of the Catholic leader's new environmental letter is a global event, the second environmental encyclical, and carries forward a profound interfaith-catholic announcement/doctrine.
Many have spoken about a 'catholic' definition of citizen action and here a dictionary definition of the word -- catholic -- finds meaning in action.
- kăth′ə-lĭk, kăth′lĭk
- 1. Of broad or liberal scope; comprehensive.
- 2. Including or concerning all humankind; universal.
- 3. Of or involving the Roman Catholic Church.
Let's look more closely at the meaning and beliefs brought forward here. One can say, as with those who attempt to 'preserve and protect' life on Earth, that this is an eco-platform of a church called Catholic and is an ecumenical outreach worth considering universally, by all humankind. The ideas and ideals of respecting life and quality of life, is a goal we can all share.
From Earthbeat, and environmental movement
- Planet citizens in action
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To be Fully Alive is to Work for the Common Good -- Get with the Action
Integral ecology is central in the eco-encyclical Laudato Si: "On Care for Our Common Home" published in May-June 2015 by Pope Francis, a first-ever Catholic 'eco-encyclical as eco-doctrine' that deserves special attention for its exceptional reach and impact in global affairs.
Catholic Pontiff Speaks of 'Integral Ecology and Common Home'
The new 2020 document from the Vatican with “Journeying for the care of the common home” offers a guide to all Christians on how to maintain a healthy relationship with Creation.
The new document coincides with the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato sí.
Tenets of Integral Ecology
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Eco-religious Dialogue
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Ecological Encyclical of Pope Francis
NY Times / With Pope Francis’s Encyclical on Climate Change
Washington Post / Pope to weigh in on climate change with major document
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A 'Green' Pope
The encyclical speaks of a common home, of creation and of humanity's responsibilities for the environment and the poor...
The encyclical is being described as “Integral Ecology” and offers the world's people a visionary doctrine...
Francis: The Environment Encyclical
UN leader asks Francis' help in addressing climate change
Apr. 28, 2015
Ahead of Vatican climate change summit, skeptics issue warnings to Francis
Apr. 27, 2015
Two groups expressing doubt about the wide scientific consensus regarding global climate change have strongly criticized an upcoming Vatican summit on the issue, hosting a press conference in Rome where they also forcefully warned Pope Francis against speaking on the subject.
Claiming that globally used models of the effects of carbon emissions on the environment are invalid, speakers at the event said the pope would be making a "great mistake" if he expressed support for Tuesday's Vatican event or tackled climate change in his upcoming encyclical of the environment.
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Encyclical on environment stimulates hope among academics and activists
Apr. 24, 2015
Faith and Justice: Conservationists hope that the encyclical's attitude toward animals, especially wildlife, will reflect the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.
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Pope's Eco Quotes: The gift of knowledge
Apr. 22, 2015
Eco Catholic: Pope Francis will soon release his encyclical on the environment. We look at what he's said in the past for hints about what may come.
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Conservative corners have tepid take on Pope Francis' environment encyclical http://ncronline.org/blogs/eco-catholic/conservative-corners-have-tepid-take-pope-francis-environment-encyclical
Apr. 21, 2015
Eco Catholic: While the upcoming encyclical has fanned optimistic flames for environmentalists in and outside the church, it hasn't raised temperatures evenly for all.
Collection of Pope Francis eco-quotes
Apr. 20, 2015
Pope Francis to release his highly anticipated encyclical on the environment and human ecology.
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Pope's Eco Quotes: Life's most essential element
Apr. 17, 2015
Eco Catholic: Pope Francis will soon release his encyclical on the environment. We look at what he's said in the past for hints about what may come.
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Panel contemplates why the papal encyclical on the environment will matter
Apr. 15, 2015
Grace on the Margins: The encyclical will give prominence to the "moral dimensions of environmental degradation" beyond the usual focus on science, technology and economics.
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Pope Francis throws the weight of his office behind tackling climate change
Apr. 15, 2015
Eco Catholic: The Vatican announced plans Wednesday to host a major conference on climate change this month that will feature leading researchers on global warming.
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Pope's Eco Quotes: Being a 'Protector of the Commons'
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