A Study of Religious Perspectives on Biodiversity and the Environment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10206928Keywords:
Religious perspectives, Eastern religions, Cultural dimensions of conservation, Eco-centered theories, Biome-centered theoriesAbstract
The provided text explores the intersection of religious perspectives, particularly from Judeo-Christian, Islamic, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions, with environmental concerns, focusing on biodiversity. It discusses how various belief systems shape attitudes toward nature and biodiversity, influencing ethical frameworks and worldviews. The text delves into the role of stewardship in the Judeo-Christian tradition and the concept of Khilafah (stewardship) in Islam. It also examines eco-theological developments within Christianity. The piece contrasts historical "sustainable consumption patterns" with the modern "era of unstable consumption patterns" and examines the ecological consequences, attributing them to factors like religious doctrines or economic and social influences. The text analyzes three ecological ethics paradigms: Anthropocentrism, Eco-Centrism, and Biome-Centrism, critiquing their strengths and limitations. Additionally, it explores the Islamic perspective on human-nature interaction, emphasizing responsible stewardship and the intrinsic value of both nature and humans. The text concludes with a comparative study of Islamic views against anthropocentric ideologies, highlighting the balanced and inclusive nature of Islamic environmental ethics.
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