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The Ecology of Wisdom: Writings by Arne Naess
A founder of the Deep Ecology Movement, Arne Naess' has produced articles on environmentalism that have provided unmatched inspiration for ecologists, philosophers, and activists worldwide. This collection amasses a definitive group of Naess' most important works in which he calls for nonviolent, cooperative action to protect the Earth. Rich with observations, insights, and anecdotes, Naess' writings draw from Eastern religious practices, Gandhian nonviolent direct action, and Spinozan unity systems. Playful and compassionate in tone, Ecology of Wisdom showcases Naess' exceptional enthusiasm, wit, and spiritual fascination with nature, while educating each of us about the steps we must take to rescue the planet and illuminating the relevance of this important environmental advocate.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 28, 2008
About the author
Arne Næss
67 books122 followersNæss was a Norwegian philosopher, known foremost as the founder of the concept Deep Ecology
Næss combined his ecological vision with Gandhian nonviolence and on several occasions participated in direct action events. He was the youngest person to ever be promoted to professor at Oslo University (27), a position he inhabited from 1939 to 1970.
Næss' main philosophical work from the 1950s was entitled Interpretation and Preciseness. . He later developed the conclusions in that book into a simplified, practical textbook, entitled Communication and Argument, which became a valued introduction to pragmatics or rather "language logic", and was thus used over many decades as a sine qua non for the preparatory examination at the University of Oslo, later known as "Examen Philosophicum".
From the 1960s and forward his work came to be more and more focused on what would later be known as deep ecology.
The name was first introduced to the public by Næss in 1972 during a lecture and was later explained further in The Shallow and the Deep Long-Range Ecology Movement: A Summary (published 1973 in the Inquiry journal).
Næss combined his ecological vision with Gandhian nonviolence and on several occasions participated in direct action events. He was the youngest person to ever be promoted to professor at Oslo University (27), a position he inhabited from 1939 to 1970.
Næss' main philosophical work from the 1950s was entitled Interpretation and Preciseness. . He later developed the conclusions in that book into a simplified, practical textbook, entitled Communication and Argument, which became a valued introduction to pragmatics or rather "language logic", and was thus used over many decades as a sine qua non for the preparatory examination at the University of Oslo, later known as "Examen Philosophicum".
From the 1960s and forward his work came to be more and more focused on what would later be known as deep ecology.
The name was first introduced to the public by Næss in 1972 during a lecture and was later explained further in The Shallow and the Deep Long-Range Ecology Movement: A Summary (published 1973 in the Inquiry journal).
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October 31, 2018
Preface, by Alan Drengson and Bill Devall
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Life and Work of Arne Naess: An Appreciative Overview, by Alan Drengson
Section 1: Places in the Real World
--An Example of a Place: Tvergastein
--Modesty and the Conquest of Mountains
--Avalanches as Social Constructions
--The World of Concrete Contents
--Self-Realization: An Ecological Approach to Being in the World
Section 2: The Long-Range Deep Ecology Movement
--The Three Great Movements
--The Basics of the Deep Ecology Movement
--Cultural Diversity and the Deep Ecology Movement
--The Place of Joy in a World of Fact
--Beautiful Action: Its Function in the Ecological Crisis
--Lifestyle Trends Within the Deep Ecology Movement
Section 3: Methodology and Systems
--Reflections on Total Views
--The Limited Neutrality of Typologies of Systems
--The Methodology of Normative Systems
--Pluralism in Cultural Anthropology
--The Principle of Intensity
--Creativity and Gestalt Thinking
--Gestalt Thinking and Buddhism
Section 4: Nonviolence and Gandhi, Spinoza and Wholeness
--Nonmilitary Defense
--Gandhian Nonviolent Verbal Communication: The Necessity of Training
--Spinoza and the Deep Ecology Movement
--Through Spinoza to Mahayana Buddhism, or Through Mahayana Buddhism to Spinoza?
--Freedom, Self, and Activeness, According to Spinoza
Section 5: Problems and Ways Forward
--Industrial Society, Postmodernity, and Ecological Sustainability
--Sustainability! The Integral Approach
--Population Reduction: An Ecosophical View
--Deep Ecology for the Twenty-Second Century
Notes
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Introduction: The Life and Work of Arne Naess: An Appreciative Overview, by Alan Drengson
Section 1: Places in the Real World
--An Example of a Place: Tvergastein
--Modesty and the Conquest of Mountains
--Avalanches as Social Constructions
--The World of Concrete Contents
--Self-Realization: An Ecological Approach to Being in the World
Section 2: The Long-Range Deep Ecology Movement
--The Three Great Movements
--The Basics of the Deep Ecology Movement
--Cultural Diversity and the Deep Ecology Movement
--The Place of Joy in a World of Fact
--Beautiful Action: Its Function in the Ecological Crisis
--Lifestyle Trends Within the Deep Ecology Movement
Section 3: Methodology and Systems
--Reflections on Total Views
--The Limited Neutrality of Typologies of Systems
--The Methodology of Normative Systems
--Pluralism in Cultural Anthropology
--The Principle of Intensity
--Creativity and Gestalt Thinking
--Gestalt Thinking and Buddhism
Section 4: Nonviolence and Gandhi, Spinoza and Wholeness
--Nonmilitary Defense
--Gandhian Nonviolent Verbal Communication: The Necessity of Training
--Spinoza and the Deep Ecology Movement
--Through Spinoza to Mahayana Buddhism, or Through Mahayana Buddhism to Spinoza?
--Freedom, Self, and Activeness, According to Spinoza
Section 5: Problems and Ways Forward
--Industrial Society, Postmodernity, and Ecological Sustainability
--Sustainability! The Integral Approach
--Population Reduction: An Ecosophical View
--Deep Ecology for the Twenty-Second Century
Notes
Bibliography
September 1, 2011
My first encounter with the writings of Naess, one of the founders of what he called the long-range deep ecology movement. As a snapshot of his extensive writings, this book perhaps does a some justice, by culling out relevant pieces and placing them in 'thematic gestalts' to present some essential aspects of his 'ecosophy'.
Some chapters have interesting titles related to the philosophical concepts he expounds, about 'beautiful action', about 'the place of joy in a world of fact', the need for 'modesty in the conquest of mountains', 'gestalt thinking and Buddhism' and so on. I liked some parts of the book. For instance, on thinking deeply about and bringing to the fore the underlying philosophies, normative structures, and hypotheses on which we base our actions. About argumentation and principles that should guide the way we debate, argue with opponents, and the importance of language and communication. His effort to integrate the three great world movements: peace, social justice, and the ecology/environmental movement. His linking of Spinoza and Gandhi, and the emphasis on activeness, if not action and activism in the movement.
For someone who laid so much emphasis on language and communication, his texts are nevertheless not easy reading. The chapters on direct philosophical subjects are dense and not for the faint-hearted lay person who has not engaged with such reasoning. The Introduction by the editors is too long-winded and mostly eulogy to Naess, and disappointing in that respect. Recommendation: if you buy or see the book, read the chapters that attract your attention and safely leave the rest.
Some chapters have interesting titles related to the philosophical concepts he expounds, about 'beautiful action', about 'the place of joy in a world of fact', the need for 'modesty in the conquest of mountains', 'gestalt thinking and Buddhism' and so on. I liked some parts of the book. For instance, on thinking deeply about and bringing to the fore the underlying philosophies, normative structures, and hypotheses on which we base our actions. About argumentation and principles that should guide the way we debate, argue with opponents, and the importance of language and communication. His effort to integrate the three great world movements: peace, social justice, and the ecology/environmental movement. His linking of Spinoza and Gandhi, and the emphasis on activeness, if not action and activism in the movement.
For someone who laid so much emphasis on language and communication, his texts are nevertheless not easy reading. The chapters on direct philosophical subjects are dense and not for the faint-hearted lay person who has not engaged with such reasoning. The Introduction by the editors is too long-winded and mostly eulogy to Naess, and disappointing in that respect. Recommendation: if you buy or see the book, read the chapters that attract your attention and safely leave the rest.
May 26, 2020
This collection of essays is quite good. Not all of them are great but some have managed to leave a lasting impression on me. Especially Naess' emphasis on the idea of having a "place". Definitely recommended.
April 10, 2023
One of the toughest books I’ve read! Lots of terminology I had to familiarize myself with and lots of sections I needed to reread. Lovely teachings though I’m happy to have added an environmental philosophy perspective.
August 24, 2022
This book is a collection of essays written over a long period, and as such there is a fair amount of repetition. Reading through it, you do get a sense of Naess’s overall philosophical framework and his inspirations and recurring themes: chiefly, Spinoza, Gandhi, Buddhism, Indian philosophy, non-violence and of course “deep ecology”.
To be honest, I wasn’t super impressed with the majority of it, but I will outline a few of my takeaways here:
- His narrative of Tvergastein, his life there and the effect on a person of living by simple means in a wild landscape was by far the most interesting part of the book and very different from the other essays
- A large majority of the book seems to be reconstituted from philosophy lectures with a lot of emphasis on outlining a rigorous system of personal philosophy (“ecosophy”) starting with ultimate values (from religious or similar foundations) down to principles (“more diversity is better”) and then to policies and actions (“logging reduces diversity” so “spike the trees”). Plus some digressions into Spinozan ethics, subjectivity (“the rose is not in itself beautiful or ugly, but only so in the eye of the beholder” - which in theory raises an objection to a deep ecology platform, as in “the forest is only beautiful in your eyes but not mine”), and other random philosophical tidbits he was interested in
- He takes a fairly hand wavy approach to all the most difficult aspects of constructing a viable deep ecology movement, especially around cultural diversity (he seems to have read a lot in Sanskrit and Pali, which is impressive, but he way too highly valorizes the idea that other cultures just automatically respect nature more and that when the Buddhists come riding in western modernity will be defeated)
- He doesn’t really do any analysis on the current state of the global ecosystem or ecological problems; it’s assumed to be in a disastrous state but this isn���t discussed at all
- He is a degrowther and, waving hands again, suggests that if we just stop reproducing, in a few hundred years everything will be good
- I liked his focus on living a rich life, instead of a complex or wealthy life, but what that might actually be isn’t discussed, nor is the assumption that consumerism is the cause of this or that dissatisfaction is a new phenomenon
- In part, his idea about a “non-military defense” policy involving studying the most effective means of nonviolent responses on the part of the population to invaders, training the population in these methods, and encouraging cross cultural exchange and volunteering to prevent misunderstandings and invasions in general, is interesting. But these aren’t new - and, as is a recurring issue, in general he seems incredibly optimistic about the prospects for people getting along if only they all knew better and agreed on the same philosophical axioms
Some of my mild disappointment with this book is probably related to this really being a true philosophy book (it feels like being in an undergrad philosophy course, which makes sense since he was a professor). I picked it up without knowing his work so maybe that’s on me. But overall it left me hoping someone did a little more work after him to flesh out some of the lower levels of his “ecosophy T”.
To be honest, I wasn’t super impressed with the majority of it, but I will outline a few of my takeaways here:
- His narrative of Tvergastein, his life there and the effect on a person of living by simple means in a wild landscape was by far the most interesting part of the book and very different from the other essays
- A large majority of the book seems to be reconstituted from philosophy lectures with a lot of emphasis on outlining a rigorous system of personal philosophy (“ecosophy”) starting with ultimate values (from religious or similar foundations) down to principles (“more diversity is better”) and then to policies and actions (“logging reduces diversity” so “spike the trees”). Plus some digressions into Spinozan ethics, subjectivity (“the rose is not in itself beautiful or ugly, but only so in the eye of the beholder” - which in theory raises an objection to a deep ecology platform, as in “the forest is only beautiful in your eyes but not mine”), and other random philosophical tidbits he was interested in
- He takes a fairly hand wavy approach to all the most difficult aspects of constructing a viable deep ecology movement, especially around cultural diversity (he seems to have read a lot in Sanskrit and Pali, which is impressive, but he way too highly valorizes the idea that other cultures just automatically respect nature more and that when the Buddhists come riding in western modernity will be defeated)
- He doesn’t really do any analysis on the current state of the global ecosystem or ecological problems; it’s assumed to be in a disastrous state but this isn���t discussed at all
- He is a degrowther and, waving hands again, suggests that if we just stop reproducing, in a few hundred years everything will be good
- I liked his focus on living a rich life, instead of a complex or wealthy life, but what that might actually be isn’t discussed, nor is the assumption that consumerism is the cause of this or that dissatisfaction is a new phenomenon
- In part, his idea about a “non-military defense” policy involving studying the most effective means of nonviolent responses on the part of the population to invaders, training the population in these methods, and encouraging cross cultural exchange and volunteering to prevent misunderstandings and invasions in general, is interesting. But these aren’t new - and, as is a recurring issue, in general he seems incredibly optimistic about the prospects for people getting along if only they all knew better and agreed on the same philosophical axioms
Some of my mild disappointment with this book is probably related to this really being a true philosophy book (it feels like being in an undergrad philosophy course, which makes sense since he was a professor). I picked it up without knowing his work so maybe that’s on me. But overall it left me hoping someone did a little more work after him to flesh out some of the lower levels of his “ecosophy T”.
August 20, 2016
As someone with a new interest in the philosophy of deep ecology, I was looking for a lay persons introduction. I found some of these essays too theoretical and at a more academic level than I could cope with, sadly. My favourite was describing the microcosm around and living in the hut at Tvergastein.
July 3, 2023
Loved some of the chapters, found others difficult to get through. May be that I'm just a bit too smooth brained.
May 15, 2021
This collection of essays has some very interesting pieces. Some I found to technical for my interest, but nonetheless brought me on new ideas or new ways of framing my own thoughts. Naess' treatises on identity, Spinoza and deep ecology are what brought me to giving it four stars.
April 2, 2017
I first heard of Arne Naess when I was hitchhiking round Norway back in 2009. I was instantly attracted to the idea of this philosopher of the wilderness, and I purchased this volume soon after I came home. I didn't manage to make much progress with it, though; I enjoyed the first of Naess's essays in the volume, a leisurely, light-hearted description of his mountain retreat at Tvergastein, but I could never get through the dense, philosophical text that followed.
Now a few years wiser and with a bit more perseverance I was able to get through most of the book: there were still a few of the essays that I found it tough to decipher (for a student of philosophy, much of the book would probably be far more illuminating, but for a layman like myself whose knowledge of Spinoza is limited to "the guy who started the Enlightenment", much of the terminology and argumentation is beyond easy comprehension) but many of the essays are thoroughly accessible, and careful reading can provide insights into a huge range of different topics. I especially enjoyed the first and last sections of the book, dealing with "Places in the Real World" and "Problems and Ways Forward" respectively, and wish these two would have been somewhat longer.
In a time when the ecology movement - and the left in general - finds itself caught between neoliberal globalisers on the one side and nationalist reactionaries on the other, Naess's emphasis on the importance of a sense of place and belonging, coupled with a with deep respect for cultural diversity (and indeed, diversity of all kinds,) and global solidarity is exactly the kind of thinking the world needs right now. As he writes: "there is no way back to the societies that belong to the past, but there is a way back to ecological sustainability."
Now a few years wiser and with a bit more perseverance I was able to get through most of the book: there were still a few of the essays that I found it tough to decipher (for a student of philosophy, much of the book would probably be far more illuminating, but for a layman like myself whose knowledge of Spinoza is limited to "the guy who started the Enlightenment", much of the terminology and argumentation is beyond easy comprehension) but many of the essays are thoroughly accessible, and careful reading can provide insights into a huge range of different topics. I especially enjoyed the first and last sections of the book, dealing with "Places in the Real World" and "Problems and Ways Forward" respectively, and wish these two would have been somewhat longer.
In a time when the ecology movement - and the left in general - finds itself caught between neoliberal globalisers on the one side and nationalist reactionaries on the other, Naess's emphasis on the importance of a sense of place and belonging, coupled with a with deep respect for cultural diversity (and indeed, diversity of all kinds,) and global solidarity is exactly the kind of thinking the world needs right now. As he writes: "there is no way back to the societies that belong to the past, but there is a way back to ecological sustainability."
September 11, 2016
As a complete newcomer to Naess, Ecology of Wisdom is a deep introduction to both the man and his work. Alan Drengson's introductory overview covers the life of Arne Naess, as well as touching on his work and the deep ecology movement in general. From there we proceed on to the first of the five sections: 'Places in the Real World'. The essays in this section are definitely the most accessible entryway into the essays as a whole, as they are all about tangible places. From there the book moves on to more philosphical matters: 'The Long-Range Deep Ecology Movement', 'Methodology and Systems', 'Nonviolence and Gandhi, Spinoza and Wholeness' and 'Problems and Ways Forward'. Each of these section covers a number of philosophical issues; predominantly on our relationship to the world around us. If you are a complete beginner to ecosophy or the deep ecology movement the writings of Arne Naess can be overwhelming at times, but this book at least tries to make the man more relatable. Not for the average reader, perhaps, but a must for anyone interested in ecosophy and looking for a more challenging read.
October 19, 2020
If you have any interest at all in ecology and environmentalism, this is a great read. Somewhat dense at times, but a beautiful philosophy of what a sustainable world could look like on this planet. Arne Naess demonstrates why he is the father of Deep Ecology.
May 14, 2016
Arne Naess is my new hero :)
July 25, 2021
Though I enjoy reading the essays in "The Ecology of Wisdom", I find I'm appreciating them more in historical context as writings that helped open up mainstream European and European-American thinking to what is currently labelled "traditional ecological knowledge". Unbeknownst to myself, I'd been following a thread of writings for some time that fit solidly into the category of what Naess calls "deep ecology". Reading his work, I see Naess as following in the footsteps of Nietzsche, personalizing his philosophy, taking to the mountaintops, and refusing to canonize the thinking of the philosophical luminaries that came before him. Instead, he questions them and points out the flaws in their logic--in Naess' case, this is means centering their thinking on humanity instead of the earth as a whole. As someone who has casually studied Buddhist thought for the past 20 years, much of his philosophy feels familiar, something he acknowledges and embraces. It seems very much as though he wrote knowing this, but that he wanted to prove to those that would privilege Western thinking that you can arrive at the same conclusions using the European philosophical lineage if you reframe yourself as a vital part of a much larger system that includes plants, animals and the land. I presently find writers who consider the perspective of what could be termed "settler studies" in their discourse to be much more exciting and provoking, but Naess' writing is comforting and solid, and I'm glad to have read it. It feels somewhat like taking a riverside hike in the woods. The views aren't necessarily thrilling, but they're still beautiful.
August 17, 2021
Even though there are lots(or most) to disagree with when it comes to Arne Næss he still manages to earn quite some respect with his dedication and example, as well as his logic and approach to philosophy from first prinicples. I picked up this book mainly to see how he worked with the concept of wisdom, as it is a big part of his philosophy, Ecosophy, and in dire need of a definition if used. It sure was interesting to read, but especially the first part. Lots of this collection is very dry and ventures into areas like Spinoza and Buddhism that I'm not that much into. Still, for me, it was a different kind of read and it inspired in me a lot of new thoughts.
May 24, 2020
This guy was good. Very good. (self-realization essay hit the sweetest)
January 12, 2021
Leste i bruddstykker på tur oslo-bergen.
April 18, 2021
Good overall, although I didn't understand the purpose of section 3.
November 6, 2022
An underrated thinker of our times. This is a great selection of Arne Naess’s life perspective on the environment in which he unveils deep ecology.
October 17, 2023
Parts are very interesting, but this is a heavy book that assumes you have read the pervious works, which are only avaliable in Norwegian....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2024
cool but ultimately monist ecotheory is a no from me
January 10, 2017
Incidentally absorbing: it's not compelling while I read it, but I revisit repeatedly. The translation is not always great I think (where there is translation, Naes wrote in English too. Unfortunately the introductory essay is awful.
Want to read
January 7, 2009Saw a good review of this in Ode Magazine. He is a mentor of mine, from one of his first widely read books, Deep Ecology.
March 30, 2013
Kindle Ebook
May 10, 2019
I love what Arne is trying to do and want desperately to “think like a mountain” but I think I just didn’t have the particular prerequisite knowledge or understanding to really engage with the book.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews