The inspiring documentary film, E.O. Wilson—Of Ants and Men, showcases biologist Edward Osborne Wilson’s passion for preserving the biodiversity of our natural world. E.O. Wilson not only values the fascinating creatures (particularly ants) that he comes across during his research and in his daily life, but he also takes action and participates in the Gorongosa Restoration Project at Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, Africa. The destruction of Gorongosa demonstrates the call for us—Homo sapiens—to realize how critical it is to concern ourselves with protecting the very ecosystems that have molded us into the complex species that we are; according to E.O. Wilson, “We adapted over millions of years to wild environments…We really need them” (CITE?). The better effort we make to understand that we are a part of this large, interdependent ecological community, the better equipped we become in not only being …show more content…
able to care for the natural world, but also ourselves. Gorongosa, once a thriving ecosystem that attracted visitors from all over the world, had a severe decrease in its biodiversity after some devastating events. Between 1977 and 1992, the Mozambican Government and the Mozambique National Resistance engaged in a raging civil conflict within Gorongosa National Park (Timeline). Soon after, until 1996, “professional hunters added to the carnage already suffered by the animals during the armed conflict, and many of Gorongosa’s large animal populations were reduced by 90% or more” (Timeline). However, despite humanity’s propensity to neglect or take over huge portions of land that contain various plant and animal species, E.O. Wilson still remains optimistic that it is not too late to open our eyes to appreciate nature in all that it has to offer. His involvement with the Gorongosa Restoration Project is an excellent example of how humans can redeem themselves by making a difference in the natural world. Greg Carr, president of the Gorongosa Restoration Project, had asked E.O. Wilson to serve as the biological advisor to restore Gorongosa. Of course, Wilson agrees to Carr’s request without hesitation; he keeps track of the biodiversity of the park, helps to rebuild and preserve its ecosystem, and also uses it as a tremendous space for educating others. Wilson’s joy with his commitment in Gorongosa epitomizes his sincere, overarching commitment to fight for the natural world. Although Gorongosa had faced a major human conflict that came close to annihilating the entire population of large animals that inhabited it, it has been able to bounce back remarkably to what Wilson claims as “its full glory” (CITE?). He devotes his cause to biodiversity, and since the restoration project began, Wilson has discovered hundreds of new species of insects in the park. Many of us tend to focus our attention on our own species, and some might blindly ask, “Why care about parks if people are all that really matter?” But Wilson answers this question in a way that encourages deep reflection. He emphasizes that in general, science has found only about twenty percent of the number of species estimated on earth (Wilson), which reminds us how very little we know about what is out there. Therefore, it is dangerous to destroy any ecosystem, including parks, and interfere with the network of living things that support us. Still, we should refrain from strictly perceiving the network of living things as only our support system. Homo sapiens play a role in the network, and the extent to which we take responsibility for our actions have a notable impact on other species. Biodiversity is important to us because it plays a significant role in maintaining healthy relationships among those in an ecosystem. In fact, humans, as well as other species, have evolved into they are today as a result of both healthy competition and cooperation with each other. According to Wilson, we experience emotions because our mind, or our human nature, has evolved in the natural world (CITE?). If we continue to not pay proper attention to ecology, and if Wilson and his colleagues had decided to leave Gorongosa to deteriorate into a wasteland, for example, we would be deprived of the dynamic unity that enables us to better ourselves both in an evolutionary and a sociological perspective. We do not exist, nor thrive, in isolation from wildlife. Conservationist and environmentalist Aldo Leopold illustrates in his essay, Land Ethic, that our web of existence is better represented as a “biotic pyramid” (251) (also known as a food chain), where every individual has a mutual dependency and influence over one another. Leopold thinks that the role of Homo sapiens should shift from being “conqueror of the land community to plain member and citizen of it” (240) so that we can develop an ecological conscience.
Leopold would most likely approve of the work being done to preserve Gorongosa National Park and would agree with Wilson in that nature is our home and we should treat it as such, but Leopold, unlike Wilson, argues that it is our moral obligation, and not just our pleasure, to respect nature. Additionally, Wilson seems to focus specifically on the plants and animals that make up an ecosystem, but Leopold extends his focus to non-living components such as soil and water because they are instrumental in maintaining the integrity of land communities. Leopold might urge Wilson to make sure that he is not simply educating people at Gorongosa, but really help them genuinely understand land ethics. This way, humans can evolve a sense of praise and approval for preserving the integrity and beauty of the biotic community (262), and social disapproval for doing the exact
opposite. Wilson advises aspiring scientists to think about the importance of biodiversity to the well-being of human lives and to the natural world at Gorongosa, but through E.O. Wilson—Of Ants and Men, he is able to reach a much broader audience to convey his message. A problem that Wilson makes apparent in the documentary is a human tendency to depict ourselves as existing more so in competition than in cooperation with nature. It is critical that we move away from this perspective, because until we take a step back and understand that we are connected with nature, it is very difficult for humanity to be able to incorporate ecological principles into making decisions and truly appreciate the great aesthetic gratification, better health, and overall happiness that nature can bring us.
Although Leopold’s love of great expanses of wilderness is readily apparent, his book does not cry out in defense of particular tracts of land about to go under the axe or plow, but rather deals with the minutiae, the details, of often unnoticed plants and animals, all the little things that, in our ignorance, we have left out of our managed acreages but which must be present to add up to balanced ecosystems and a sense of quality and wholeness in the landscape.
In the movie Antz, power, conformity, and social inequality played a big role on its plot, characterization and theme. The movie had representations from the collectivism point of view, the political principle of centralized social and economic control and individualism.
John Muir and Edward Abbey are both in agreement when it comes to the tampering of national parks; they both had a disdain for commercialization or industrialization of the natural landscape of them. Muir was a preservationist who believed the natural landscape, especially significant areas of beauty like Hetch Hetchy Valley which was ultimately dammed, should be left alone. He felt places like Hetch Hetchy were resources for “uplifting joy and peace and health of the people (370).” Meaning their value to humans was much greater if left uncommercialized and unpolluted. Muir also believed people overstepped their bounds when they drastically altered the environment for their own self-interest;
Anthropocentrism has been a central belief upon which modern human society has been constructed. The current state of the world, particularly the aspects that are negative, are reflective of humans continuously acting in ways that are in the interest of our own species. As environmental issues have worsened in recent decades, a great number of environmentalists are turning away from anthropocentric viewpoints, and instead adopting more ecocentric philosophies. Although anthropocentrism seems to be decreasing in popularity due to a widespread shift in understanding the natural world, philosopher William Murdy puts forth the argument that anthropocentrism still has relevancy in the context of modern environmental thought. In the following essay, I will explain Murdy’s interpretation of anthropocentrism and why he believes it to be an acceptable point of
I think that in this chapter Leopold is showing the reader how the different people see the land and the things in and around that land. He also tells us that even the conservation commission feels impelled to kill animals and birds to help the production of a lesser species.
I believe that nature and its natural resources are here for us to use, but the management of these resources should very careful and make sure that will have these resources forever. I also believe that people are not a separate part of the community. Leopold ideas sound better to me for example, we are part of the community, global issues (from his observation over the years), etc.
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J. Baird Callicott is probably most famously known as an advocate for Aldo Leopold's The Land Ethic (1949.) The Land Ethic is an environmental ethic which Callicot strongly posits is a holistic and non-anthropocentric ethical theory. In other words, The Land Ethic should, if Callicotts position is correct, be an ethical theory that places collectives, as opposed to just individual living things, as having intrinsic value. It should also be an ethical theory that does not focus on, or allow, Homo sapiens to be considered the only “things” as having moral significance. The Land Ethic, originally sketched out by Leopold is a very concise, yet intricate, piece of literature and Callicott has written many pieces of literature which attempt to explain, unfold, apply and defend Leopold's Land Ethic. The purpose of this essay is to, as clearly and precisely as possible, provide an explanation as to what The Land Ethic consists of, with both references to Leopold and several of Callicot's literatures. Following this an identification of any problems that can be extracted from the theory will then be juxtaposed with Callicott's attempt to defend The Land Ethic and remedy these issues. Finally, after the presentation and analysis of The Land Ethic a decision will be made as to whether The Land Ethic is, what Callicott claims, truly an adequate non-anthropocentric environmental ethic.
In terms of numerical abundance, size and species richness, ants are a prominent group in many terrestrial ecosystems. Ants also occupy higher tropic levels and often used specialized niches; suggest that they may be good bio-indicator of various environmental parameters (Majer, 1983).
Leopold’s view is a glorified dream at best. While most people do acknowledge the need for some type of ecological consciousness, the one illustrated by Leopold is far from probable. Today’s society is overrun with the desire for speed and convenience, and driven by competition. Asking the busy world to stop, step backward, and work the concerns for such things as soil, rocks, or oak trees into its contracts and agreements is a foolish notion. It has come to be that to most individuals, the sight of a city skyline that is bustling with business and life is just as pristine as the sight of a natural forest.
The situation the Amazon rainforest is in exhibits the wise statement of the Mr. Lovelock. If the Amazon keeps being cut down, it will do more bad than good for humans. We shall lose countless ingredients for helping treat impending diseases like cancer and AIDS. We shall also be losing the many rare and exotic plants and animals as well as the lush green trees who provide many of the natural gases in our atmosphere. To keep harming the rainforest will be to harm the plants and animals, hurt the innocent native people, and destroy the enviroment. No person in their right mind would want these consequences. But unfortunately, this is the doom for humans if we don’t stop the desecration of not only this rainforest, but countless other natural sites of the Earth.
Hölldobler graduated from the University of Würzburg. He studied biology and chemistry, and his doctoral thesis was on the social behavior of male carpenter ants. Hölldobler has three main theoretical and experimental contributions: sociobiology, behavioral ecology, and chemical ecology. His study subjects are usually insects even more specifically it is ants. Hölldobler now works at Arizona State University where he and his research team explore the behavioral mechanisms that underlie communication and division of labor systems in ant societies. They also investigate on how ants communicate with other colonies to regulate territories. Throughout his career Hölldobler has won many awards for his contributions to biology. Wilson is a biologist and researcher; his links in biology go with sociobiology and biodiversity. Wilson also a theorist believes in consilience and biophilia. He is also an author; and a naturalist who believes in conservationism. In biology he specializes in the study of ants and he is considered to be the world’s leading authority. Wilson first started at the University of Alabama for his studies of biology. He then he got his doctorate in biology at Harvard University. Just like Hölldobler; Wilson has won many awards. They together won the Pulitzer award for this book “the Ants”. If you were to ask for my opinion if they are the right people to write a book; I would say that their credentials prove to us that they are more than capable of writing this book.
The history of national parks, their establishment and propagation, demonstrates all three of these intervention principles. Until the early 1800s, the American public viewed nature and the wilderness as something to tame or overcome. Thanks in large part to artistic movements which portrayed unsettled lands as beautiful, public opinion evolved and gave rise to the moral imperative of preservation. In 1864 political, ethical, and economic reasons for intervention furnished momentum to legislation regarding Yosemite Valley; a California senator sponsored a bill which was eventually signed in to law by President Abraham Lincoln and would transfer national lands to the State for “preservation” and “public use, resort, and recreation” (The National Parks, 2005, p. 12-13). In this case, the ethical reason for intervention (land preservation) was largely supported by the American public and the contemporary shift in public opinion, additionally rendering it a political reason for intervention. As for economic reasons for intervention, the land was recognized as a n...
Anthropocentrism is the school of thought that human beings are the single most significant entity in the universe. As a result, the philosophies of those with this belief reflect the prioritization of human objectives over the well-being of one’s environment. However, this is not to say that anthropocentric views neglect to recognize the importance of preserving the Earth. In fact, it is often in the best interests of humans to make concerted efforts towards sustaining the environment. Even from a purely anthropocentric point of view, there are three main reasons why mankind has a moral duty to protect the natural world.
Everyone must have asked these questions once in their life, why are ants so important or interesting to the world and life? Well, ants help in a lot of ways; they scatter seeds from place to place allowing more plants to grow all over the land, they pollinate and protect our plants and flowers and they dig galleries and tunnels that increase the nutrients in our soil. Ants have mutualistic relationship with several organisms likes other animals and plants. Ants can also be used as a pesticide for crops, because they keep unwanted harmful insects off the corps and the corps do not have to be sprayed with any deadly chemicals; which makes using ants as a pesticide organic and safer for the environment. Allow me to get more into detail; here are some more interesting facts and jobs that ants do to help us.