Quality of Life in a Deep Ecological Perspective: The Need for a Transformation of the Western Mindset?

Abstract

The Norwegian philosopher Arne Næss made a distinction between the shallow and the deep ecological movements (Næss, 1973). While the shallow movement was regarded as a technocratic approach that tried to minimize the symptoms of ecological destruction of the planet, the deep ecological movement sought to address the deep questions in order to find sustainable solutions to the alarming environmental problems. With a motto “live a rich life by simple means”, in 1984 Næss and George Sessions formulated eight platform principles of the deep ecology movement (Næss and Sessions, 1995; Næss, 1995).