Anthropocentrism is the idea that humans are the most important and powerful beings on Earth and that all other life forms and natural processes are subordinate to human needs and interests. This concept has been used to justify actions that prioritize human benefit over the well-being of other species or ecosystems (Heyd, 2005). While anthropocentrism has been a part of human thinking for centuries, it has increasingly become a dominant worldview in modern society.
Anthropocentrism can take several forms, including the belief that humans should have control over nature, that nature exists to serve human needs, and that human interests should be prioritized over the needs of other species (Sagoff, 1988). This view is often used to support economic activities that are harmful to the environment, such as clear-cutting of forests or the overuse of natural resources. In addition, anthropocentrism has been used to justify the exploitation of nonhuman animals for food, clothing, and other purposes (Goodall, 1986).
Anthropocentrism has been widely critiqued by environmentalists, animal rights activists, and others who view it as a form of speciesism, or discrimination against non-human animals (Singer, 1975). Critics argue that anthropocentrism fails to recognize the intrinsic value of other species and their right to exist without being subjected to human exploitation (Nash, 1990). In addition, anthropocentrism has been linked to a number of environmental problems, including climate change, habitat destruction, and the extinction of species (Czech et al., 2000).
In response to the criticisms of anthropocentrism, some scholars have argued for the development of an “ecocentric” worldview that emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life on Earth and the need to protect and conserve the environment (Naess, 1989). This alternative view acknowledges the importance of human interests while also recognizing the rights and intrinsic value of other species and ecosystems (Norton, 1989).
Anthropocentrism continues to be a pervasive worldview in modern society, and it is important to consider its implications for our relationship with the natural world. While anthropocentrism can be a useful tool for understanding the human-nature relationship, it should not be used to justify the exploitation of other species or the destruction of the environment.
References
Czech, B., Krausman, P. R., & Devers, P. K. (2000). Economic associations among cause-specific mortality of mammals in the United States. Science of The Total Environment, 269(1-3), 43-59.
Goodall, J. (1986). The Chimpanzees of Gombe. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Heyd, T. (2005). Anthropocentrism: Human values and the natural world. Environmental Values, 14(2), 103-118.
Naess, A. (1989). Ecology, community and lifestyle: Outline of an ecosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Nash, R. F. (1990). The rights of nature: A history of environmental ethics. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.
Norton, B. G. (1989). Why preserve natural variety? Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Sagoff, M. (1988). The economy of the Earth. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Singer, P. (1975). Animal liberation. New York: Harper Colophon.