When we think about evolution, it’s often the physical transformation of ‘man’ that we picture – a seemingly random expression of the single ancestral entity all life on earth originated from (literally every organism evolved from LUCA ).
If our species – as one of the 500 nonillion organisms which bloomed from this single seed of life possess a sense of consciousness, then it’s not scientifically or spiritually unreasonable to suggest that every earthbound entity on this planet could also have a sense of reason.
The validity of this concept has been proven time and again as scientists have begun to study nonhuman consciousness. In Peter Wohlleben’s ‘The Hidden Life of Trees’ he shares the enchantments of the sophisticated silent language trees speak. In Sy Montgomery’s book ‘The Soul of an Octopus’ the highly individual personalities and marked curiosity octopuses exhibit are outlined. This way of thinking, in philosophy, is called ‘Panpsychism’, it’s a school of thought which suggests that everything in the universe possess awareness, even those objects which we (non-indigenous people) usually think of as inanimate.
It’s a world view that we environmentalists should be able to consider and possibly embrace. If our goal is to bring balance back to the living planet, then we have to value life on the planet and see all that surrounds us as a series of subjects, rather than a series of objects.
For anyone who was lucky enough to grow up around Indigenous communities that hold an intimate relationship with nature, you will be familiar with the type of person/people this reverential belief system creates. One of depth, warmth and humanity which is embodied both individually and socially in every aspect of life. Creating a society which values a level of wisdom and kindness superior to our western way of life.
This school of thought aligns with aspects of Rewilding as well. If we saw the world as a “spirit-thing” with ends and meanings of its own, then we might be able to stop trying to control it like strict ignorant parents and let it express itself freely without constant interference.
Panpsychism and climate change live in a similar realm, where even if some future science proved ‘wrong’, those fighting within the belief of their validity, would still be on the right side of history.
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PHOTOS: Annie Spratt via Unsplash
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