Ecology of Wisdom

Description

A selection of the most inspiring and influential writings from groundbreaking Norwegian environmentalist Arne Naess, in Penguin Modern Classics for the first time Philosopher, mountaineer and visionary Arne Naess was a key inspiration for the environmental movement in his lifetime and remains vital today as the father of the Deep Ecology movement. Drawing on Naess's own time spent living in the wilderness, as well as influences as diverse as Eastern religious practices, Gandhian nonviolent direct action and Spinozan unity systems, his writing calls for cooperative action to protect the earth. This Penguin Modern Classics edition brings together the best of Naess's trailblazing essays, full of the writer's characteristic enthusiasm, wit, and spiritual fascination with nature. This selection is an inspiration for all those looking to follow in his footsteps.

Arne Naess was born in Slemdal, Norway, in 1912. After earning his Ph.D. at the age of 27, he became the University of Oslo's youngest professor, and Norway's only Professor of Philosophy. Naess was a keen mountaineer, environmentalist and social activist. In 1938, he finished building an isolated wooden hut high in the Hallingskarvet mountains, where he would spend a quarter of his life. It was here that he developed his concept of 'deep ecology,' and his lifelong commitment to the environmental movement. His activity within the movement ranged from grassroots protest, to candidacy for political office with the Green Party, to a post as the first chairman of Greenpeace Norway in 1988. His achievements as a philosopher, ecologist and activist were widely recognised during his lifetime. In 2005 he was knighted and made a Commander with Star of the Royal Norwegian order of St. Olav First Class. He died in Oslo in 2009.

Arne Naess's ideas about promoting an intimate and all-embracing relationship between the earth and the human species inspired environmentalists and Green political activists around the world * New York Times *