Live and Let Live (A Study on Deep Ecology)

From a tiny atom to a mega galaxy, the universe exhibits orderliness. The so-called aberrations in the state of Nature are parts of greater harmony.? Everything, animate or inanimate, mobile or immobile, constitutes integral part the whole. Things and beings are inter-related and inter-dependent as well. The moon in the sky triggers the growth of certain tiny plants deep down in the ocean floor. Everything, however tiny, has its necessary place in the cosmic web. Nothing is redundant in the state of Nature. Everything has its intrinsic value. Even a blade of grass contributes to cosmic harmony, just as the notes of the ankle bell contribute to the melodious rendition of an orchestra. Fact remains that man, on account of possessing a developed mind, occupies the highest rung in the ladder of evolution. But on account of myopic vision man construes himself as the end and everything else as subservient to his interest.? Such anthropocentric vision has led him to engage in mindless exploitation of flora and fauna to promote his exclusive interest. The planet, Earth stands witness to the illicit fallout Anthropocentrism in terms of pollution of air and water, global warming, melting of polar ice, rise of sea level. There has been the belated realization that all life is sacred which has led man to recognize the intrinsic worth of all biotic species. Though Biocentrism is wider in compass as it takes all living species within its embrace it proves to be self-defeating. In its bid to protect and promote the interest of the living species It remains oblivious to the intrinsic worth of the inanimate Nature consisting of land, rivers, oceans mountains etc. This has led to ideological tilt towards Cosmo-centric worldview which provides rationale for a holistic vision whereof there is the realization that in order to live man has to play a role of the steward recognizing the intrinsic worth of everything, living and non-living and do everything possible to protect their interest. Cosmo-centrism finds its corroboration in the philosophical and religious treatises from time to time. Hence, it is imperative that our educational, political, religious and social systems need to restructured so as to help people cultivate holistic awareness wherein each existent is reckoned as possessing its intrinsic worth irrespective of its instrumental or utility value for the humans.