Some of us still get all weepy when we think about the Gaia Hypothesis, the idea that the earth is a big furry goddess-creature who resembles everybody’s mom in that she knows what’s best for us. But if you look at the historical record—Krakatoa, Mt. Vesuvius, Hurricane Charley, poison ivy, and so forth down the ages—you have to ask yourself: Whose side is she on, anyway?
Barbara Ehrenreich, The Worst Years of Our Lives, 1990
Eco-justice is nothing less than taking seriously the destiny of humanity and the planet on which we live. If there is a future, it will be Green.
Petra K. Kelly, Fletcher Forum of World Affairs, Vol. 14, No. 2, Summer 1990
[The ethical person] shatters no ice crystal that sparkles in the sun, tears no leaf from its tree, breaks off no flower, and is careful not to crush any insect as he walks.
Albert Schweitzer, 1875-1965, Philosophy of Civilization: Civilization and Ethics
One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida
[RD] Laing also had an exquisite sensitivity to the demonic dimension of modern science, to the reifications of medicine, psychiatry and psychology, whose search for knowledge is often buttressed by the most appalling research practices. Indeed, a salient feature of Laing’s critique of modern life is the observation that the demonic side of science (which he depicted so vividly) lies in its blind erosion of our sense of solidarity with one another and with other species by rationalizing cruelty and indifference.
Daniel Burston, The Wing of Madness: Life and Work of R.D.Laing. With thanks to Rita Wing.
So when the day came, they elected Reynard Fox by a great majority, and he made a speech on the occasion, which drew tears from the Stag, and almost overpowered King Penguin.
Here, unfortunately, our account of these interesting procedures terminates. We have received, however, from an old acquaintance among the beasts, the cut on the preceding page, and a brief note with it, to say that the animals may shortly be expected to act on the offensive, and that they intend to establish zoological gardens for the accommodation and exhibition of various specimens of men.
The Animal Declaration of Independence Harper’s January 1857 [edited extract being part 19 in a series of 19]
