Religion and Ecological Crisis: Christian and Muslim Perspectives from John B. Cobb and Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Description

"Religion and Ecological Crisis delves into the complex relationship between religions and ecology, presenting Christian and Islamic perspectives on ecological issues through the work of John Boswell Cobb and Seyyed Hossein Nasr. It examines how faith traditions of the world see and respond to our current unprecedented climate change issues. This is the first comparative study of Cobb and Nasr's eco-religious understanding, and explores how their prescriptions can contribute alternatively to techno-scientific initiatives in environmental sustainability. Taking Cobb's "economism" and Nasr's "scientism" as the key concepts for surveying the roots of the ecological crisis, the book offers interdisciplinary and interreligious insights into the debates about ecological equilibrium, motivational awareness in human mind and about entanglements between religion and the environment. This will be an insightful resource for policy makers, faith leaders and for academics working in Environmental Studies and Religious Studies"-- Cover Endorsements Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Abbreviations Acknowledgments Preface Preface Preface Foreword Foreword Foreword 1. Introduction: Orientation, Research Methodology and Significances of the Study Introduction Background and Orientation Why Faith Perspectives Are Significant in Addressing Ecological Issues John B. Cobb and His Work Seyyed Hossein Nasr and His Work How Cobb and Nasr Address the Current Environmental Crisis Research Objectives Research Methods: How this Book will Proceed Conceptual Foundations and Clarifications Literature Review Sources of Research Materials Chapter Outlines Limitation of the Study Significance and Expected Outcomes Conclusion Notes References 2. The Relevance of Religions to Ecological Crisis Introduction Major Ecological Crisis The Ecological Crisis and World Religions Environment as a Concerning Matter for Faith Communities Religions as Promoter for Pro-environmental Stance Religions as Partners in Ecological Initiatives and Movements Origin and Development of Eco-theological Movements A Reciprocal Relationship between Religions and Environmental Movements Eco-religious Resources for Environmental Ethics Environmental Problems as a Spiritual Crisis of Modern Humans Environmental Ethics and Religious Moral Guidelines to the Environment Conclusion Notes References 3. John B. Cobb's Christian Eco-Theological Views and Environmental Issues Introduction Why Cobb is Interested in Environmental Issues Cobb's Quest for the Reasons of Environmental Degradation Cobb's Process Theology in Eco-Theological Understanding Cobb's Criticism of Mainstream Approaches to Environmental Ethics Cobb's Ecological Model A Life-based Metaphor for the Planetary Environment Ecological Asceticism Living Simply The Biospheric Vision A New Ethical Life Ecological Biology Ecojustice Revitalizing Traditional Wisdom through New Interpretations Prioritizing Sustainability Balancing Christianism, Nationalism, and Economism Integrating a Modified Christian/Church Role in Ecological Sustainability Connecting Process Theology with the Pain and Joy of Nature Sustainable Agricultural Systems Balancing Power and Politics Environmentally-Friendly Village and Urban Life Sustainable Development Policy Empowering Women Renewable Energy, Green Technology, and Environmentally Efficient Transport Tolerable Population Size Rejecting Economism by Reforming Economic Theories and Functions Bioregionalism: Balancing Trade and Commerce by Saving Local Ecosystems Why Cobb Went from a Theological Perspective to an Economic and Political Perspective A Critical Analysis of Cobb's Eco-Theological Views and his Ecological Model Conclusion Notes References 4. Seyyed Hossein Nasr's Islamic Eco-Religious Views and the Environmental Crisis Introduction Why Nasr is Interested in Environmental Issues Nasr's Quest for the Causes of Environmental Degradation Nasr's Criticism of the Scientific Worldview of Nature The Eco-religious Understanding of Traditional Wisdom God, Nature, and Humanity, and the Relationship Between Them Sacred Science Traditional Sciences Spiritual Feeling for Nature and the Environment Religious Spirituality Religious Worldviews of Nature Challenging and Changing the Modern Scientific Worldview of Nature Religious Understandings of the Cosmos/Sacred Cosmology Perennial Philosophical Thought Pontifical Humans, not Promethean Humans Not Anthropocentric but Anthropocosmic and Theo-anthropocosmic The God-Human-Earth Hierarchy Nature as a Reflection of the Divine Nature as Consciousness and a State of Being Transcendent Unity of Being Spiritual Worldview of Nature Traditional Agricultural Systems Traditional Ways of Construction Toward Less Consumption Controlling Human Greed Wise Economics A Society of Human Beings with Profound Responsibility for Nature Interreligious Dialog for Environmental Sustainability Insufficiency of Environmental Ethics Reinterpreting the Theology of Nature Pseudo-Philosophy and Pseudo-Metaphysics Practical Suggestions for Muslims Regarding Environmental Sustainability Environmental Resources in Islamic Heritage and Scholarship Islam as the Cosmic Reality Islam as a Religion of Nature Taking Care of God's Creatures through Duties and Responsibilities (amanah) God as the Divine Environment Nature as the Living Sign of God The Natural Environment as a Grace of God Nature in the Custody of Humanity Laws of Nature as Laws of God Not Corrupting the Earth Planting as a generous Work Literary Works of Past Muslims Who Loved Nature Environmentally-Friendly Villages and Agriculture Increasing Awareness of the Ecological Crisis in the Muslim Mind We Cannot Wait for Divine Intervention Why Nasr Relies on Traditional Views of Nature A Critical Analysis of Nasr's Eco-religious Understanding Conclusion Notes References 5. Comparison and Appraisal of the Eco-Religious Understandings of John B. Cobb and Seyyed Hossein Nasr Introduction Some Basic Information About Both Scholars How They Relate Religions to Environmental Issues How They Used a "Metaphor of Life" Cobb and Nasr and Approaches to Environmental Ethics Cobb's Understanding of Value in Environmental Ethics Nasr's Views of Value Approaches to Environmental Ethics Cross-analysis of Cobb's and Nasr's Value Approaches through Reciprocal Illumination The Eco-Religious Understanding in Cobb's and Nasr's Interpretations Relating Humans with God and Nature Connecting "Special Human Dignity" to a Caretaking Mentality Human Responsibility toward God's Creation The Sacred Features of Nature Sanctity of Life Reinterpreting Biblical and Qur'anic Verses Holistically Creating a Service-oriented Mentality The Insufficiency of Environmental Ethics The Environmental Problem as a Spiritual Crisis Controlling Greed by Practicing Frugality Balancing Population Size A Feminine Metaphor for Nature Connecting Modern Science and Technology to the Environmental Crisis Transforming Science and Technology for Ecological Equilibrium Criticizing Governments for Prioritizing Development over Ecological Sustainability Supporting a Strong Social Movement on Environmental Issues Emphasizing Meaningful Dialog and Cooperation Focusing on Global, Regional, and Local Collaboration and Cooperation Their Practical Approaches to Environmental Protection and Sustainability Planting Trees and Forests On Traditional Methods in Agriculture Environmentally Friendly Village Life Eco-based Construction Toward Less Consumption Better Economic Policies and Practices Reducing Carbon Emissions Discouraging Waste and Encouraging Recycling Conclusion Notes References 6. Conclusion: Summary of the Study and Recommendations Introduction A Summary of the Book Recommendations Conclusion References Bibliography Writings of John B. Cobb, Jr. Writings of Seyyed Hossein Nasr General Works Index