Embodiment and Embeddedness in Philosophies of Ecology: Deep Ecology, Confucian Ecology, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s Phenomenology

Abstract

The present ecological crisis might have some roots in its philosophical forbears. This senior essay explores three ecological philosophies and their implications: Deep Ecology, a contemporary ecocentric movement; Confucian ecology, which posits an "ethical anthropocentrism" ; and Maurice Merleau-Ponty's late phenomenology, which immerses humankind's thought and perception wholly within the visible-invisible world. All three philosophies raise serious questions regarding the projects of epistemology and ontology, together with problematizing rationality and objectivity. Sensuousness takes on epistemological primacy, and the prospect of a reoriented and unified system becomes feasible. For a contextual philosophical endeavor to begin, it must include the implications of immersion and embeddedness in the natural world.