Arne Næss
Encyclopedia
Arne Dekke Eide Næss was a Norwegian philosopher, the founder of deep ecology
. He was the youngest person to be appointed full professor at the University of Oslo
.
Næss cited Rachel Carson
's 1962 book Silent Spring
as being a key influence in his vision of deep ecology. Næss combined his ecological vision with Gandhian nonviolence
and on several occasions participated in direct action
. In 1970, together with a large number of demonstrators, he chained himself to rocks in front of Mardalsfossen
, a waterfall in a Norwegian fjord
, and refused to descend until plans to build a dam were dropped. Though the demonstrators were carried away by police and the dam was eventually built, the demonstration launched a more activist phase of Norwegian environmentalism. In 1958, Arne Næss founded the interdisciplinary journal of philosophy Inquiry
.
Næss had been a minor political candidate for the Norwegian Green Party.
Næss was a noted mountaineer, who in 1950 led the expedition that made the first ascent of Tirich Mir
(7,708 m). The Tvergastein hut in the Hallingskarvet
massif played an important role in Næss' life.
In 2005 he was decorated as a Commander with Star of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav for socially useful work.
to the problems of language interpretation, extending the work of such logicians as Leonhard Euler
, and semanticists such as Charles Kay Ogden
in The Meaning of Meaning
. A simple way of explaining it is that any given utterance (word, phrase, or sentence) can be considered as having different potential interpretations, depending on prevailing language norms, the characteristics of particular persons or groups of users, and the language situation in which the utterance occurred. These differing interpretations are to be formulated in more precise language represented as subsets of the original utterance. Each subset can, in its turn, have further subsets (theoretically ad infinitum). The advantages of this conceptualisation of interpretation are various. It enables systematic demonstration of possible interpretation, making possible evaluation of which are the more and less "reasonable interpretations". It is a logical instrument for demonstrating language vagueness, undue generalisation, conflation, pseudo-agreement and effective communication.
Næss developed a simplified, practical textbook embodying these advantages, entitled Communication and Argument, which became a valued introduction to this pragmatics or "language logic", and was used over many decades as a sine qua non
for the preparatory examination at the University of Oslo
, later known as "Examen Philosophicum" ("Exphil").
Beginning in the 1960s, Næss examined the problematic sides of the positivist program about unified science
and in "Pluralist and Possibiltist Aspect of the Scientific Enterprise" (1972) positivism
is replaced with pluralism. The banner is no longer unified science, but "plurality of theory". At any time, and should, there be a numbers of competing and individually ununitable scientific theories, where any can be said to be compatible with "reality". While Næss previously perceived the "objective", positivist science as an important tool against the spread of totalitarian politic, which thought with the blood, this science has now become the ruling ideology.
For many years these points were part of two compulsory courses in philosophy
taught in Norwegian universities ("Examen philosophicum" and "Examen facultatum").
, was originally the name of his personal philosophy. Others such as Warwick Fox
have interpreted deep ecology as a commitment to ecosophy
T, Næss's personal beliefs. The T referred to Tvergastein, a mountain hut where he wrote many of his books, and reflected Næss's view that everyone should develop his own philosophy.
Although a very rich and complex philosophy, Næss's ecosophy
can be summed up as having Self-realization as its core. According to Næss, every being, whether human
, animal
or vegetable
has an equal right to live and to blossom. Through this capitalized Self, Næss emphasizes, in distinction to realization of man’s narrow selves, the realization of our selves as part of an ecospher
ic whole. It is in this whole that our true ecological Self can be realized. Practically Self-realization for Næss means that, if one does not know how the outcomes of one's actions will affect other beings, one should not act, similar to the liberal
harm principle
.
, was the younger brother of shipowner Erling Dekke Næss
. Arne Næss was the uncle of mountaineer and businessman Arne Næss Jr.
(1937–2004), who was once married to Diana Ross
.
The Trumpeter: Journal of Ecosophy * The Trumpeter: Journal of Ecosophy
Deep ecology
Deep ecology is a contemporary ecological philosophy that recognizes an inherent worth of all living beings, regardless of their instrumental utility to human needs. The philosophy emphasizes the interdependence of organisms within ecosystems and that of ecosystems with each other within the...
. He was the youngest person to be appointed full professor at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
.
Næss cited Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson
Rachel Louise Carson was an American marine biologist and conservationist whose writings are credited with advancing the global environmental movement....
's 1962 book Silent Spring
Silent Spring
Silent Spring is a book written by Rachel Carson and published by Houghton Mifflin on 27 September 1962. The book is widely credited with helping launch the environmental movement....
as being a key influence in his vision of deep ecology. Næss combined his ecological vision with Gandhian nonviolence
Nonviolence
Nonviolence has two meanings. It can refer, first, to a general philosophy of abstention from violence because of moral or religious principle It can refer to the behaviour of people using nonviolent action Nonviolence has two (closely related) meanings. (1) It can refer, first, to a general...
and on several occasions participated in direct action
Direct action
Direct action is activity undertaken by individuals, groups, or governments to achieve political, economic, or social goals outside of normal social/political channels. This can include nonviolent and violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action...
. In 1970, together with a large number of demonstrators, he chained himself to rocks in front of Mardalsfossen
Mardalsfossen
Mardalsfossen is one of the ten highest waterfalls in Europe. It is located in the municipality of Nesset in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. The falls are on the Mardøla river which flows into the lake Eikesdalsvatnet, about northwest of the village of Eikesdalen...
, a waterfall in a Norwegian fjord
Fjord
Geologically, a fjord is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.-Formation:A fjord is formed when a glacier cuts a U-shaped valley by abrasion of the surrounding bedrock. Glacial melting is accompanied by rebound of Earth's crust as the ice...
, and refused to descend until plans to build a dam were dropped. Though the demonstrators were carried away by police and the dam was eventually built, the demonstration launched a more activist phase of Norwegian environmentalism. In 1958, Arne Næss founded the interdisciplinary journal of philosophy Inquiry
Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy
Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy is a peer-reviewed academic journal of philosophy published bimonthly by Routledge. It was established in 1958 by Ingemund Gullvåg and Jacob Meløe in the spirit of Arne Naess and the so-called Oslo school in Norwegian philosophy and covers all...
.
Næss had been a minor political candidate for the Norwegian Green Party.
Næss was a noted mountaineer, who in 1950 led the expedition that made the first ascent of Tirich Mir
Tirich Mir
Tirich Mir is the highest mountain in the Hindu Kush region and the highest mountain outside of the Himalaya-Karakoram range, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The mountain was first climbed in 1950 by a Norwegian expedition consisting of Arne Næss, P. Kvernberg, H...
(7,708 m). The Tvergastein hut in the Hallingskarvet
Hallingskarvet
Hallingskarvet is a mountain range in southern Norway stretching from Geilo to Finse. The highest point is Folarskardnuten , the highest point in Buskerud.In the north there is a large dammed lake called Strandavatnet...
massif played an important role in Næss' life.
In 2005 he was decorated as a Commander with Star of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav for socially useful work.
Philosophy
Arne Næss' main philosophical work from the 1950s was entitled "Interpretation and Preciseness". This was an application of set theorySet theory
Set theory is the branch of mathematics that studies sets, which are collections of objects. Although any type of object can be collected into a set, set theory is applied most often to objects that are relevant to mathematics...
to the problems of language interpretation, extending the work of such logicians as Leonhard Euler
Leonhard Euler
Leonhard Euler was a pioneering Swiss mathematician and physicist. He made important discoveries in fields as diverse as infinitesimal calculus and graph theory. He also introduced much of the modern mathematical terminology and notation, particularly for mathematical analysis, such as the notion...
, and semanticists such as Charles Kay Ogden
Charles Kay Ogden
Charles Kay Ogden was an English linguist, philosopher, and writer. Described as a polymath but also an eccentric and outsider, he took part in many ventures related to literature, politics, the arts and philosophy, having a broad impact particularly as an editor, translator, and activist on...
in The Meaning of Meaning
The Meaning of Meaning
Although the original text was published in 1923 it has been used as a textbook in many fields including linguistics, philosophy, language, cognitive science and most recently semantics. The book has been in print continuously since 1923. The most recent edition is the critical edition prepared...
. A simple way of explaining it is that any given utterance (word, phrase, or sentence) can be considered as having different potential interpretations, depending on prevailing language norms, the characteristics of particular persons or groups of users, and the language situation in which the utterance occurred. These differing interpretations are to be formulated in more precise language represented as subsets of the original utterance. Each subset can, in its turn, have further subsets (theoretically ad infinitum). The advantages of this conceptualisation of interpretation are various. It enables systematic demonstration of possible interpretation, making possible evaluation of which are the more and less "reasonable interpretations". It is a logical instrument for demonstrating language vagueness, undue generalisation, conflation, pseudo-agreement and effective communication.
Næss developed a simplified, practical textbook embodying these advantages, entitled Communication and Argument, which became a valued introduction to this pragmatics or "language logic", and was used over many decades as a sine qua non
Sine qua non
Sine qua non or condicio sine qua non refers to an indispensable and essential action, condition, or ingredient...
for the preparatory examination at the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
, later known as "Examen Philosophicum" ("Exphil").
Philosophy of science
In the doctoral thesis "Erkenntnis und wissenschaftliches Verhalten" Næss gives a theoretical reasoning for the basic positivist idea that there exists only one understanding form of reality, the scientific, and that there is one form of science, the natural sciences. All form for understanding - traditional philosophy, religion - submits as "meta physics". In later writings, for example "Notes on the Foundation of Psychology as a Science" (1948), Næss goes into this position.Beginning in the 1960s, Næss examined the problematic sides of the positivist program about unified science
Unified Science
"Unified Science" can refer to any of three related strands in contemporary thought.* Belief in the unity of science was a central tenet of logical positivism. Different logical positivists construed this doctrine in several different ways, e.g...
and in "Pluralist and Possibiltist Aspect of the Scientific Enterprise" (1972) positivism
Positivism
Positivism is a a view of scientific methods and a philosophical approach, theory, or system based on the view that, in the social as well as natural sciences, sensory experiences and their logical and mathematical treatment are together the exclusive source of all worthwhile information....
is replaced with pluralism. The banner is no longer unified science, but "plurality of theory". At any time, and should, there be a numbers of competing and individually ununitable scientific theories, where any can be said to be compatible with "reality". While Næss previously perceived the "objective", positivist science as an important tool against the spread of totalitarian politic, which thought with the blood, this science has now become the ruling ideology.
Recommendations for public debate
Communication and Argument included his recommendations for objective public debate. Næss argued for adhering to the following rules to make discussions as fruitful and pleasant as possible:- Avoid tendentious irrelevance
Examples: Personal attacks, claims of opponents' motivation, explaining reasons for an argument. - Avoid tendentious quoting
Quotes should not be edited regarding the subject of the debate. - Avoid tendentious ambiguity
Ambiguity can be exploited to support criticism. - Avoid tendentious use of straw menStraw manA straw man is a component of an argument and is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position, twisting his words or by means of [false] assumptions...
Assigning views to the opponent that he or she does not hold. - Avoid tendentious statements of fact
Information put forward should never be untrue or incomplete, and one should not withhold relevant information. - Avoid tendentious tone of presentation
Examples: irony, sarcasm, pejoratives, exaggeration, subtle (or open) threats.
For many years these points were part of two compulsory courses in philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
taught in Norwegian universities ("Examen philosophicum" and "Examen facultatum").
Ecosophy T
Ecosophy T, as distinct from deep ecologyDeep ecology
Deep ecology is a contemporary ecological philosophy that recognizes an inherent worth of all living beings, regardless of their instrumental utility to human needs. The philosophy emphasizes the interdependence of organisms within ecosystems and that of ecosystems with each other within the...
, was originally the name of his personal philosophy. Others such as Warwick Fox
Warwick Fox
Warwick Fox is an Australian philosopher and ethicist. He is the author of Toward a Transpersonal Ecology and A Theory of General Ethics: Human Relationships, Nature, and the Built Environment....
have interpreted deep ecology as a commitment to ecosophy
Ecosophy
Ecosophy and ecophilosophy are neologisms formed by contracting the phrase ecological philosophy.Confusion as to the meaning of ecosophy is primarily the consequence of it being used to designate different and often contradictory concepts by the Norwegian father of deep ecology, Arne...
T, Næss's personal beliefs. The T referred to Tvergastein, a mountain hut where he wrote many of his books, and reflected Næss's view that everyone should develop his own philosophy.
Although a very rich and complex philosophy, Næss's ecosophy
Ecosophy
Ecosophy and ecophilosophy are neologisms formed by contracting the phrase ecological philosophy.Confusion as to the meaning of ecosophy is primarily the consequence of it being used to designate different and often contradictory concepts by the Norwegian father of deep ecology, Arne...
can be summed up as having Self-realization as its core. According to Næss, every being, whether human
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
, animal
Animal
Animals are a major group of multicellular, eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Animalia or Metazoa. Their body plan eventually becomes fixed as they develop, although some undergo a process of metamorphosis later on in their life. Most animals are motile, meaning they can move spontaneously and...
or vegetable
Vegetable
The noun vegetable usually means an edible plant or part of a plant other than a sweet fruit or seed. This typically means the leaf, stem, or root of a plant....
has an equal right to live and to blossom. Through this capitalized Self, Næss emphasizes, in distinction to realization of man’s narrow selves, the realization of our selves as part of an ecospher
Ecosphere
Ecosphere has several different meanings:* In ecology the term ecosphere can refer to the Earth's spheres, a planetary ecosystem consisting of the atmosphere, the geosphere , the hydrosphere, and the biosphere....
ic whole. It is in this whole that our true ecological Self can be realized. Practically Self-realization for Næss means that, if one does not know how the outcomes of one's actions will affect other beings, one should not act, similar to the liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
harm principle
Harm principle
The harm principle holds that the actions of individuals should only be limited to prevent harm to other individuals. John Stuart Mill first articulated this principle in On Liberty, where he argued that "the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized...
.
Family
Næss, himself an avid mountaineerMountaineering
Mountaineering or mountain climbing is the sport, hobby or profession of hiking, skiing, and climbing mountains. While mountaineering began as attempts to reach the highest point of unclimbed mountains it has branched into specialisations that address different aspects of the mountain and consists...
, was the younger brother of shipowner Erling Dekke Næss
Erling Dekke Næss
Erling Dekke Næss, was a Norwegian shipowner and businessman. Brother of philosopher Arne Dekke Næss, his nephew was the mountaineer and businessman Arne Næss Jr.. Best known for his early adoption of flags of convenience, Næss was Deputy Head of Nortraship's New York office from 1942 to 1946....
. Arne Næss was the uncle of mountaineer and businessman Arne Næss Jr.
Arne Næss Jr.
Arne Næss, Jr. was a Norwegian businessman and mountaineer. He had been married to Diana Ross since 1985, by whom he had two sons, but the couple was long separated at the time of his sudden death.-Biography:...
(1937–2004), who was once married to Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
.
Sources
(review)External links
- Downloadable interview with Dr. Alan Drengson about Deep Ecology and Arne Næss. June 6, 2008.
- The Trumpeter collected works on Arne Næss (2005) 2006 archive of the dead link
- "Ecosophy from T to X" - article about Arne's philosophy, by Jim Cocola, in n+1N+1n+1 is a New York–based American literary magazine that publishes social criticism, political commentary, essays, art, poetry, book reviews, and short fiction. It is published three times each year, and content is published on several times each week...
magazine, April 2006. - The Trumpeter Volume 9.2 (1992)
- Arne Næss: A Biographical Sketch, by Warwick Fox.
- Arne Naess - Ecophilosophy and Ecology Page from the University of Oslo. Contains basic information about Arne Næss and his publications from 1936-2005.
- Jens Bjørneboe: How Arne Næss and I conquered NATO
- Photos of Næss' arrest at Mardalsfossen (in Norwegian)
- Inquiry An Interdiciplinary Journal of Philosophy founded by Arne Næss
- Crossing the Stones: A Portrait of Arne Naess
- The Call of the Mountain (transcript) Transcript of the film The Call of the Mountain on Arne Naess and the Deep Ecology Movement (1997)
- The Call of the Mountain (excerpts) Excerpts of the film on YouTube.
- The Call of the Mountain (complete) See "The Call of the Mountain" as one whole online
- "Arne Naess, Norwegian Philosopher, Dies at 96", New York Times obituary
- "Philosopher Developed 'Deep Ecology' Phrase", Washington Post obituary
- Arne Næss obituary in The Guardian
The Trumpeter: Journal of Ecosophy * The Trumpeter: Journal of Ecosophy