Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess advocates deep ecology ethics. In the proposal Naess addresses the issue of environmental ethics. According to the theory all of life is valuable in itself and not merely insofar as it can be used by human beings for our own purposes. As parts of a larger whole whose richness and diversity must be respected, we maximize our own self-realization by promoting the welfare of the whole. We should consequently cut back on human population growth and selfish consumption of natural resources. The theory is aimed at reminding humans of our place in the cosmos not as dominators or abuses but as "part of" the universe and stands as a call to ecological consciousness and responsibility.
The Philosophical ethical theory is based to some extent or at least resembles the basic teachings of 17th century philosopher Baruch Spinoza who argued that everything in nature is part of God and it seems that Spinoza even went so far as to equate nature with God, an approach which came to be known as "pantheism." To accept the fact that all things are one is to embrace God. When we no longer see the world solely from our own perspective we should accept everything as valuable in itself rather than as something, which we can exploit, since such exploitation would be to unjustifiably claim that we are more important than anything else in the created order.
From consideration of the topic emerges the question, "What is our lace as humans in the cosmos?" There are basically three perspectives, which have developed in response to the ever-reorienting response to this question: The Pre Modern Answer, the Modern Answer and the Post Modern Answer.
The Pre Modern Answer proposed that, as human beings, we are above the material world and under the world of spiritual beings. Still according to this approach humanity has a unique place in the created order and have been assigned the task of "ruling over", managing, and controlling creation according to Theologians.
The Modern Answer to the question of humanity's place in the cosmos rejected the ancient pre modern perspective and proposed that our identity is to be found in our being creators within the cosmos. According to this position, the universe is not a "home" to which we naturally belong but rather it is the material object of our transforming work. This perspective is fading to some extent however and giving way to a third perspective.
The Post Modern to the question of humanities place in the universe proposes that humanity is not "apart from" the universe but rather is "part of" the universe. In this capacity humanity plays an integral role in the universe. This perspective is reflected in the new ecological and environmental consciousness, which is at the heart of Deep Ecology Ethics. As part of the universe, we are to recognize that to abuse the universe and the created order is not only to damage the cosmos, but also to damage or adversely affect ourselves as part of that created order.
