Study Questions for 1/30 (Leopold and Naess) – Zach Hymes – Discussion Leader

Leopold Articles:

"January":

Do you find it difficult to talk about the state of mind, or "appetite" of the skunk who formed the track? What is the importance of freedom from want and fear? Do we also share these states of mind? How are they different between humans and animals?

"February":

(On pg 6)-Why are these spiritual dangers? Why does Leopold spend so much time talking about the oak tree (both on its beginnings, and what it has "seen")? (On pg. 15) What are the parallels between the man-man community disruption, and Leopold's vision of the current man-land community? Why is it important for Leopold to return the ashes of the oak tree into the ground?

"The Land Ethic"

How is the extension of the "ethical sequence" an evolutionary possibility (how does evolution theory provide us with this possibility) and an ecological necessity? What different types of communities do humans dwell in? What are the differences between, and implications of, the roles of conqueror and "plain citizen"? What new content is needed in our ecological education for people to develop the "ecological conscience"? What is the main problem with an economically motivated conservation ethic? Why does Leopold explain the energy mechanism of the land? What is the scope of a biotic community? (On pg. 224-5) As Leopold describes when a thing is right (it preserves the integrity, beauty, and flourishing of the biotic community), does he commit "eco-fascism"? How is the Land Ethic a product of social evolution?

Naess Article:

What is the difference between radical and reform environmentalisms? What is the scope of all life having intrinsic value? What ways can we achieve a smaller human population? What is the difference between big and great? If we have an obligation to either directly, or indirectly implement the ideals of Deep Ecology, what means are justified to reach that end?

What are the differences between shallow and Deep approaches to resources, pollution and population? Should Western technology be limited with regard to its use in underdeveloped countries? Even if it gives them a "better quality of life"?

Is Deep Ecology easier to grasp by someone with pre-formed "Deep" convictions, e.g., a person from an ecologically-sensitive religion? What is the possibility for a "Deep" religion?

If the further individual, and total, increases in Self-realization are dependent upon the Self-realization of others, does Deep Ecology fall into "eco-fascism"?

What does a life lived "simple in means, but rich in ends" look like?

*The discussion on these questions may not follow this line, but most/all of these will be used in discussing the two article-sets.