Anthropocentric Epistemology: Implications for the Search for a Viable Environmental Ethic

Abstract

This study is on the anthropocentric epistemology and implications for the search for a viable environmental ethic, identifies man’s relationship with the environment as a product of man’s epistemic base. Anthropocentric epistemology is anchored exclusively on the supremacy and objectification of the human perspective beyond and above all others. This model of epistemology ties everything to the whims of man and explains reality as such. Present environmental consciousness and preservation derives directly from what man conceives of the environment and is thereby anthropocentric or humanocentric. It is also broadly aimed at the protection of man’s interest, and not essentially the interest of the environment. This study asserted that environmentalism derived from an absolutely human-based epistemic system cannot guarantee the unequivocal protection and continued sustenance of green peace. This is fundamentally the problem that this study has discovered and seeks to solve. Hence, a change in the way epistemology is conceived will positively enhance environmentalism because protection of the environment will be based on the well-being of the whole of the environment and not just the well-being of man alone. This conclusion is arrived at using conceptual analyses and evaluation of works on the topic under consideration.

Keywords: Anthropocentric, epistemology, environmental philosophy

Cite this Article

Oduora Okpokam Asuo. Anthropocentric Epistemology: Implications for the Search for a Viable Environmental Ethic OmniScience: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2018; 8(3): 26–34p.