Skip to main content
Home / GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, Volume 1, Number 4

Natur in der Krise? Ein kulturelles Mißverständnis

Buy Article:

$24.90 + tax (Refund Policy)

Author: Glaeser, Bernhard

Source: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, Volume 1, Number 4, 1992, pp. 195-203(9)

Publisher: oekom verlag

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.1.4.4

Is the so-called environmental crisis actually a cultural crisis? Is the “environmental crisis”, therefore, an “ideological crisis” and, in this sense, a crisis of our culture? What is the essence of the link between environment and nature, the interdependence between nature and culture, upon which our sense of “crisis” is based?

The reflections presented in this article attempt to answer these questions. The thesis is developed that there is no “crisis in nature”.

It is contended that talk of “crisis in nature” is, contrary to what we may believe, far more an indication of a cultural crisis in our society.

Nevertheless, humankind's intuitive, that is anthropocentric, self-interest in its own survival demands that societal behaviour with regard to nature be changed, that Homo sapiens treat nature with care. The conclusion here – ironically – is that correct behaviour towards nature need not necessarily be based upon false thinking about nature.

Keywords: ANTHROPOCENTRIC FALLACY; CRISIS; CULTURE; ENVIRONMENT; ETHICS; EVOLUTION; HUMAN ECOLOGY; NATURE

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 July 1992

More about this publication?

  • GAIA is a peer-reviewed inter- and transdisciplinary journal for scientists and other interested parties concerned with the causes and analyses of environmental and sustainability problems and their solutions.

    Environmental problems cannot be solved by one academic discipline. The complex natures of these problems require cooperation across disciplinary boundaries. Since 1991, GAIA has offered a well-balanced and practice-oriented forum for transdisciplinary research. GAIA offers first-hand information on state of the art environmental research and on current solutions to environmental problems. Well-known editors, advisors, and authors work to ensure the high quality of the contributions found in GAIA and a unique transdisciplinary dialogue – in a comprehensible style.

    GAIA is an ISI-journal, listed in the Science Citation Index Expanded, Social Science Citation Index and in Current Contents/Social and Behavioral Sciences.

    All contributions undergo a double-blind peer review.

  • Editorial Board
  • Information for Authors
  • Subscribe to this Title
  • Ingenta Connect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Share Content

  • Access Key
  • Free content
  • Partial Free content
  • New content
  • Open access content
  • Partial Open access content
  • Subscribed content
  • Partial Subscribed content
  • Free trial content