Integral Ecology: Uniting Multiple Perspectives on the Natural World

by Sean Esbjörn-Hargens, Marc Bekoff (Foreword), Michael E. Zimmerman

Today there is a bewildering diversity of views on ecology and the natural environment. With more than two hundred distinct and valuable perspectives on the natural world—and with scientists, economists, ethicists, activists, philosophers, and others often taking completely different stances on the issues—how can we come to agreement to solve our toughest environmental problems?

In response to this pressing need, Integral Ecology unites valuable insights from multiple perspectives into a comprehensive theoretical framework—one that can be put to use right now. The framework is based on Integral Theory, as well as Ken Wilber’s AQAL model, and is the result of over a decade of research exploring the myriad perspectives on ecology available to us today and their respective methodologies.


Dozens of real-life applications and examples of this framework currently in use are examined, including three in-depth case studies: work with marine fisheries in Hawai’i, strategies of eco-activists to protect Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest, and a study of community development in El Salvador. In addition, eighteen personal practices of transformation are provided for you to increase your own integral ecological awareness. Integral Ecology provides the most sophisticated application and extension of Integral Theory available today, and as such it serves as a template for any truly integral effort.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Environment, Ecology, Anthropology

832 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 2008

About the author

Sean Esbjörn-Hargens is Dean of Integral Education at the California Institute of Human Science. In 2011 he founded MetaIntegral, a social impact network that supports change leaders around the world in applying integrative principles to projects and organizations. In 2018 he founded The Exo Studies Institute through which he is pioneering an integral approach to anomalous phenomena including UFOs/ETs. Sean combines a strong academic background in the philosophy of science and integrative metatheories with an open-hearted exploration of the mystery and multi-layered nature of reality. He has published and edited numerous articles, chapters, and books. He is the co-editor of Metatheory for the Twenty-First Century and Dancing with Sophia: Integral Philosophy on the Verge.

Reviews

[Tami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel I must preface this review with a note that I am not an ecologist, environmental studies specialist, or educator in an environmentally related field. I am, however, quite familiar with integral theory as set out by Ken Wilber, as pertains to my own area of expertise. In addition to this, I have read a few of his articles that define and outline integral ecology.

Integral Ecology is an advanced text of study. It is suitable for those well read in either integral theory or environmental studies. It would likely be most useful as a advanced text in a university or college situation. The overall purpose of the book is to present the theory, show how it relates to environmental issues, and then integrate this new way of looking at potential issues into actual study.

In this way, the first part of the book presents Ken Wilber`s integral theory. I think the authors do a very good job of summarizing and clarifying this somewhat confusing and complex topic. Explained in the most simplistic terms, this philosophy recognizes that everyone has their own perspective and this perspective colors the way that each person views a particular situation. In this way, some may see an environmental calamity whereas others might not even see an issue. It’s not as simply as educating others on such issues.

Parts two, three, and four, build upon the information presented in the previous section. Part two moves into more explanation of integral ecology, specifically framework definition and concepts that are important to grasp before moving onto more depth in the next section. Section three then examines how integral ecology would change the way environmental issues would be studied. Finally, the last portion of the book provides a number of interesting and informative case studies which not only illustrate this method of study in real life use but also help to further clarify issues and concepts.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

typical integral writing - verbose, sometimes repetitive and gratuitous, and often insightful/mind-opening; very useful for someone working on environmental/ecological issues, and (just as the title implies) learning to work with the varied perspectives of different stakeholders with respect, grace, and critical discernment

[Todd Mayville · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2009/0...

[Clement Ying · Rating 5 out of 5]

A revolution in philosophy and anthropology.

Masterpiece of our age.