Positives soziales Verhalten und umweltgerechtes Handeln — Eine humanökologische Betrachtung der heutigen Umweltkrise

Abstract

Maintaining or restoring an intact environment that is fit to live in is one of the most important tasks facing the whole of humanity. Since most of today’s environmental problems deal with highly complex phenomena found at a global level, it is increasingly necessary to achieve a global change in thinking and action. In order to develop and consolidate such a change so that it has long-term effects, it is, however, not enough simply to comprehend and grasp the significance of the scientific aspects of environmental problems. What is required, rather, is an exact analysis of present-day society as well as a deeper understanding of the individual as a social, culturally creative being whose actions cannot be viewed in isolation from his biographical and social background. A long-term solution is only possible in the interactive analysis of the relationship between individual, society and environment. Originating from the recognition of the fact that man as a social being, capable of learning and forming relationships is in principle prepared to cooperate and shoulder responsiblity, environmentally sound action is defined as a particular expression of prosocial action. Action of this kind that is led by human cooperation and social justice is however opposed to the values enshrined in society today and learned during the socialization process. In order to achieve sound environmental behaviour which is effective in the long term, attention must be paid to the following aspects:

• 1. People must learn to turn to a system of values which places prime importance on the welfare of the whole of humanity.

• 2. In order to enable people to achieve such consideration for one another, they must be guided towards responsible, pro-social behaviour which has a vision beyond that of the individual person. The essential requisite for this abitity is created in primary socialization and must be deepened in the further stages of the socialization process.