In a message dated 96-11-28 00:06:51 EST, Durval wrote:
> Looks like an ecological system...
> Are we an ecological learning system? Are we an open learning system?
> Is there a possibility of a learning system that is not ecological?
Recently I started reading Fritjof Kapra's "The Web of Life," and right
off the bat he defines the "new paradigm" as "deep ecology." Given Durvals
association, I thought this might pertinent to the conversation, as well
as interesting.
Capra makes an important distinction between "shallow ecology," and "deep
ecology."
"Shallow ecology is anthropocentric, or human-centered. It views humans as
above or outside of nature, as the source of all value, and ascribes only
instrumental, or "use," value to nature. "
Versus
"Deep ecology does not separate humans -- or anything else -- from the
natural environment. It sees the world not as a collection of isolated
objects, but as a network of phenomena that are fundamentally
interconnected and interdependent. Deep ecology recognizes the intrinsic
value of all living beings and views humans as just one particular strand
in the web of life."
Given these definitions, I'd have to say that a real learning environment
would be represented by a deep ecology.
--Benjamin B. Compton bbcompton@aol.com
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>