Mucking with Nature

Abstract

Let Being Be: so deep ecology recommends, following later Heidegger. The main advice tendered is that we interference-inclined beings let things, natural things particularly, be the way they are. This means a tolerance for natural things in their own forms, a preparedness to leave places and natural systems alone, not to interfere or change natural things arbitrarily or casually, nor to simply exploit them. While a hands-off no-action, non-interference and non-management, approach is no doubt the right sort of policy recipe for the diminishingly few not significantly damaged or messed about with natural systems still remaining on Earth, deep advice is little heeded; serious interference inroads continue to be made almost everywhere upon parts of remaining natural systems. The inadequacy of the justificatory bases for these assaults needs repeated exposure. Moreover, questions arise as to what to do about, and with, the increasingly many damaged, degenerated or vandalised natural areas, where there may be room to make a difference for the better, to initiate some restoration or rehabilitation. It is upon some of these questions that the present essay concentrates.