Biocentrism (ethics)

Biocentrism (from Greek βίος bios, "life" and κέντρον kentron, "center"), in a political and ecological sense, as well as literally, is an ethical point of view that extends inherent value to all living things.^[1] It is an understanding of how the earth works, particularly as it relates to its biosphere or biodiversity. It stands in contrast to anthropocentrism, which centers on the value of humans.^[2] The related ecocentrism extends inherent value to the whole of nature.

Biocentrism does not imply the idea of equality among the animal kingdom, for no such notion can be observed in nature. Biocentric thought is nature-based, not human-based.

Advocates of biocentrism often promote the preservation of biodiversity,^[3] animal rights, and environmental protection. The term has also been employed by advocates of "left biocentrism", which combines deep ecology with an "anti-industrial and anti-capitalist" position (according to David Orton et al.).^[4]

^ Derr, Patrick George; Edward M. McNamara (2003). Case studies in environmental ethics. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-7425-3137-6.
^ "biocentrism". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
^ Robin Attfield, ed. (2003). Environmental ethics: an overview for the twenty-first century. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-7456-2738-0.
^ "Left Biocentrism Primer". 15 March 1998. Retrieved 15 March 2009.

[case-studies-derr-21-1] Derr, Patrick George; Edward M. McNamara (2003). Case studies in environmental ethics. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-7425-3137-6.

[Britannica-2] "biocentrism". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009.

[Env-Ethics-attfield-17-3] Robin Attfield, ed. (2003). Environmental ethics: an overview for the twenty-first century. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-7456-2738-0.

[4] "Left Biocentrism Primer". 15 March 1998. Retrieved 15 March 2009.

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