Towards a Synthesis of Norwegian Ecophilosophy Drawing 1: Untitled drawing by Sigmund Kvaløy Setreng. Source: (Kvaløy Setreng 2001a: 0) Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Culture, Environment and Sustainability Submitted by Scott Randall Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM) University of Oslo Blindern, Norway June 18th, 2007 ii Table of Contents: Introduction..................................................................................................................1 Study Period.............................................................................................................5 Structure ...................................................................................................................6 Methodology............................................................................................................9 Approach................................................................................................................10 Crisis, and the Relationship.................................................................................16 Chapter 1: Conception.............................................................................................21 Art, Literature, Exploration, and some Philosophy Intermingled...................25 Unique Norwegian Qualities...............................................................................46 Environmental Crisis and Change ......................................................................50 Chapter 2: Emergence .............................................................................................55 Explicit Ecophilosophy Establishment...............................................................60 Collective Efforts at the Climax..........................................................................67 Beginning Signs of Diversion and Individualistic Ideas..................................76 Chapter 3: Divergence.............................................................................................88 From Collectivism to Individualism to Evolution............................................91 Dissolution and Criticism.....................................................................................99 Chapter 4: Reunion................................................................................................105 Dialog Towards a Synthesized Ecophilosophy...............................................105 Framework of a New Synthesized Ecophilosophical Vision ........................130 Conclusion: A New Story......................................................................................139 Reference List..........................................................................................................142 Index .........................................................................................................................153 iii List of Pictures and Drawings: Drawing 1: Untitled drawing by Sigmund Kvaløy Setreng...................................i Drawing 2: NTK logo ............................................................................................. 23 Picture 1: “Tømmerfløtere i arbeid ved Skøningfossen i Haldenvassdraget” .. 27 Picture 2: “Foss i nedre Telemark” ........................................................................ 28 Drawing 3: Humans fatal evolution...................................................................... 41 Picture 3: Næss being carried away by two policemen at Mardøla.................. 71 Drawing 4: “Life Necessities Society” .................................................................. 82 Drawing 5: “Industrial Growth Society” ............................................................... 83 List of Tables and Figures: Table 1: Summation of Key Ecophilosophical Components from Dialog ...130 Figure 1: Simplified Diagram of Current Relationship and Effects ...............132 Figure 2: Concentric Diagram .............................................................................133 Abstract: Explicit Norwegian ecophilosophy emerged in the late 1960’s as a collective effort for the common purpose of addressing the perceived crisis caused by a faulty human-nature relationship. The emergence was facilitated by factors unique to Norway as well as a rich historic tradition of holistic contemplation of the human-nature relationship, where it was at times mixed with the opposing idea of individualism. The brief climatic emergence was followed by a divergence which suppressed the collective approach, encouraging some independent ideas, leading to the dissolution of the greater ecophilosophical vigor. A renewal of Norwegian ecophilosophical thinking is deemed necessary to address an even greater strained present human-nature relationship; this will be attempted through a reunion of Norwegian ecophilosophy for the purpose of a framework of synthesized thought. iv Acknowledgements: Recently my daughter and I were laying on the couch together, both lazily gazing out the living room window at the fast moving clouds overhead, and she suddenly got a puzzled look on her face and asked me, “Kjører vi Pappa?”. Thanks to Annika for asking those simple but deeper questions, and reminding me that we are also in tandem movement with the world around us. Thanks also to my family in the U.S. and Norway for their continued patience and support in my research of a non-traditional topic that I believe so strongly in. I am forever grateful to my wife Marit for bringing me to such a wonderful country that has given me a new sense of being; My advisor, Peder Anker, has lent invaluable guidance towards the format and content of the Thesis. Thanks for his bright ideas, and most of all for steering me clear of some my original bland thesis ideas, thus fully recognizing my true ambitions; I would like to acknowledge the following for their in-depth discussion(s) regarding the Thesis and its direction: Sigmund Kvaløy Setreng, Per Ingvar Haukeland, and Stephan Harding, and thanks for their time and insight; Sigmund Kvaløy Setreng was also an extreme asset during the editing of Chapter 2, providing specific details unavailable in literature; I would also like to acknowledge the following for their contribution to the Thesis through brief discussions/encounters: David Rothenberg, Espen Gamlund, Per Ariansen, and James Lovelock (the last three through their participation in the Deep Ecology Workgroup at SUM). Rothenberg’s Wisdom in the Open Air publication was the first, and continuing literary inspiration to the Thesis and my interest in Norwegian ecophilosophy; Special thanks is also given to Kit-Fai Næss for her support, and allowing me access to Arne Næss’ office and personal files; The Deep Ecology Workgroup at the University of Oslo has given me a wide- range of ecophilosophical understanding during the final stage of the Thesis, thanks to its members, especially co-founding member Martin Lee Müller, for v expanding my knowledge of Deep Ecology as a movement and philosophy, and for helping me see that it can be reduced to a manageable idea; During the early summer of 2006, Thomas Crowley (Yale student studying Deep Ecology) unknowingly assisted me in getting on the right mental track to start writing the first pages of the Thesis, at a time I desperately needed it…although all we really accomplished were long chess matches; Consideration is given to the main library at the University of Oslo (Georg Sverdrups hus) as well as the National Library (Nasjonalbiblioteket) which are wonderful sources of easily accessible information; Consideration is also given to SUM for being a wonderful multi-disciplinary learning establishment that has well-rounded my environmental education, and matured my direction in the search for an optimal human-nature relationship. Key Words: Norwegian ecophilosophy, environmental crisis, human-nature relationship, systems theory, holism, Deep Ecology, collective thinking, collectivism, individualism, Norwegian nature tradition, scepticism, synthesis philosophy, anthropocentrism, ecocentrism, ecology, Gaia, mountaineering, friluftsliv. vi Introduction Natures entire Aspiration, universal Self-realization, has no other Purpose than Consistency, which makes it completely Durable in Form. Moral, as well as Physical realization consists in the undisturbed Harmony or, in other Words, complete Individuality, where all Parts are so connected, that none are less essential or necessary than the other, and where nothing is left to Chance.1 – Niels Treschow, 1807 (Treschow 1807: 33-34). Precisely 200 year ago, philosopher Niels Treschow began the Norwegian philosophical journey of the deep reflection of the human-nature relationship; his 1807 publication Menneskeværd og Messeskevel (Human Worth and Human Wellbeing) solidified this vision by introducing a new way of examining the changing Norwegian entity – through a presentation of the odd amalgamation of individualism and holism.2 Through this mix, Treschow disclosed the powerful philosophical principle of self-realization, a higher step in human consciousness of understanding one’s place in their surroundings. Ever since Treschow’s early 19th century creation of his Philosophy of Identity, Norwegians have been openly contemplating the human-nature dilemma in literature, but the full supremacy of his eclectic philosophy was not fully apprehended until the latter half of the 20th century. The Thesis relies on the statement: explicit Norwegian