Getting Right with Nature: Anthropocentrism, Ecocentrism and Theocentrism

Organization and Environment, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 1-22

Ross School of Business Paper No. 903

Posted: 11 May 2006 Last revised: 10 Jan 2009

See all articles by Andrew John Hoffman

Andrew John Hoffman

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Lloyd Sandelands

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Date Written: October 1, 2004

Abstract

The past century has witnessed unprecedented economic growth and prosperity along with unprecedented depredations upon nature. To resolve these developments, there is debate between two moral postures. One takes a human-centered, or anthropocentric, view of our relationship to nature to emphasize the value of securing the resources needed for further development. The other takes an environment-centered, or ecocentric, view of our relationship to nature to emphasize the value of conserving her integrity and beauty. This article explores tensions underling these two views and finds that neither adequately reconciles us to nature. This article offers an alternative, theocentric view of our relationship to nature, founded upon Catholic Christianity, that reconciles in God our value for resources and nature and establishes a divine order of man and nature apart fromhuman egoism and intentions. This article concludes with a discussion of the implications of this theocentric viewfor environmental policy and practice.

Keywords: God, nature, man, environmentalism, ecocentrism, anthropocentrism, theocentrism, Catholic Church, Protestant Reformation

JEL Classification: K32

Suggested Citation

Hoffman, Andrew John and Sandelands, Lloyd, Getting Right with Nature: Anthropocentrism, Ecocentrism and Theocentrism (October 1, 2004). Organization and Environment, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 1-22, Ross School of Business Paper No. 903, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=901660

Andrew John Hoffman (Contact Author)

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business ( email )

701 Tappan Street, R4390
Ann Arbor, MI MI 48109
United States
734.763.9455 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.andrewhoffman.net/

Lloyd Sandelands

University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business ( email )

701 Tappan Street
Ann Arbor, MI MI 48109
United States

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