What is industrial paradigm? What is ecological paradigm?

Summary

Toni, a blogger and PhD candidate, explores the dichotomy between the industrial and ecological paradigms. The industrial paradigm, rooted in neoclassical economics, views humans as separate from and dominant over nature, focusing on economic growth and technological progress. In contrast, the ecological paradigm recognizes nature as a living system with intrinsic value, advocating for a holistic approach that includes non-monetary societal and natural productions. Toni critiques the industrial paradigm's narrow focus, influenced by urban lifestyles and education, which prepares individuals for corporate roles rather than fostering a connection with nature.

Takeaways

• 🌿 The speaker, Torch, has been writing about natural aquariums and has shifted focus to economy and environment due to their PhD project.
• 🎓 The PhD project explores why mainstream economics, specifically neoclassical economics, tends to overlook ecology.
• 🏭 The 'industrial paradigm' is defined as a human-centered, mechanistic, and reductionist worldview that has dominated since the Industrial Revolution.
• 🌱 In contrast, the 'ecological paradigm' views humans as part of nature, recognizing the intrinsic value and intelligence of ecosystems.
• 🌐 The industrial paradigm sees nature as a resource to be exploited for human comfort, convenience, and progress, disregarding its intrinsic value.
• 💼 The industrial paradigm is characterized by an obsession with monetary economy and human-made technologies, focusing on markets, companies, and states.
• 🔄 The ecological paradigm emphasizes circular cycles and the interconnectedness of living ecosystems, differing from the linear processes of industrial production.
• 🌱 Nature, in the ecological paradigm, is a primary producer with its own organic intelligence, unlike the industrial view which sees it as chaotic without human intervention.
• 🌳 The ecological paradigm acknowledges various forms of production, including non-monetary productions by nature and societies.
• 🏙️ Disconnection from nature due to urban lifestyles and industrial education that emphasizes technical specialization are identified as reasons for the dominance of the industrial paradigm.
• 📚 Modern education is criticized for preparing students for corporate life rather than fostering holistic thinking and understanding of ecosystems.

Q & A

What is the name of the person speaking in the transcript?

The name of the person speaking in the transcript is Torch, with the first name Toni, written as T U and C.

What was the initial focus of Torch's blog articles?

Initially, Torch's blog articles were focused on natural aquariums.

What is the current focus of Torch's blog articles?

Currently, Torch's blog articles are focused on economy and environment, due to their work on a PhD project.

What is the subject of Torch's PhD project?

The subject of Torch's PhD project is why mainstream economics ignore ecology.

What does Torch mean by 'mainstream economics'?

By 'mainstream economics,' Torch refers to neoclassical economics, which is characterized by an industrial paradigm.

How does Torch define the industrial paradigm?

The industrial paradigm is defined as a human-centered, mechanistic, and reductionist worldview that has dominated science, education, and economic thought since the Industrial Revolution.

What is the fundamental belief of the industrial paradigm regarding humans and nature?

According to the industrial paradigm, humans are not part of nature but stand above it, created to dominate and reshape it.

What is the ecological paradigm, as opposed to the industrial paradigm?

The ecological paradigm is a more complete, realistic, and holistic worldview that sees humans as part of nature and acknowledges the intelligence and cycles within ecosystems.

How does the industrial paradigm view the concept of production?

In the industrial paradigm, production is viewed as linear processes, focused on human-made technologies and monetary economy.

What are the two primary reasons Torch suggests for the development and establishment of the industrial paradigm as the mainstream ideology?

The two primary reasons are the modern urban lifestyle, which is disconnected from nature, and the modern industrial education that prepares young people for life in corporations.

How does the ecological paradigm view human economy in relation to nature?

In the ecological paradigm, the human economy is seen as only a part of nature, acknowledging non-monetary productions of both nature and societies.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Industrial vs. Ecological Paradigm

The speaker, Torch, introduces themselves and their blog articles, which have shifted focus from natural aquariums to economy and environment due to their PhD project. Their research questions why mainstream economics, specifically neoclassical economics, disregards ecology. They define the industrial paradigm as a human-centered, mechanistic, and reductionist worldview that has dominated since the Industrial Revolution. This paradigm views humans as separate from and superior to nature, which is seen as a resource to be exploited for human comfort, convenience, and progress. The ecological paradigm, in contrast, is presented as a more holistic and realistic worldview that acknowledges humans as part of nature and recognizes the intrinsic value and intelligence of ecosystems.

05:04

📈 The Business-Centric Industrial Paradigm

The second paragraph delves deeper into the industrial paradigm, emphasizing its focus on monetary economy and human-made technologies. It contrasts this with the ecological paradigm, which views nature as the primary producer and recognizes the circular cycles of natural processes. The ecological paradigm encompasses a broader range of productions, including non-monetary productions of nature and societies, such as the provision of clean air and water by ecosystems. The speaker also discusses how the industrial paradigm has become the mainstream ideology, attributing this to the disconnection from nature in modern urban lifestyles and the industrial education system, which prepares individuals for corporate life rather than fostering a holistic understanding of ecosystems.

10:05

🏢 The Impact of Industrial Education

In the final paragraph, the speaker critiques the industrial education system for its narrow focus on technical specialization and human-made technologies, which are deemed necessary for corporate roles. This approach, they argue, comes at the expense of holistic thinking and an understanding of nature. The speaker suggests that overemphasis on certain aspects, such as technology or specialization, inherently detracts from the importance of other life aspects, like the natural environment and comprehensive understanding. The paragraph highlights the need for a more balanced educational approach that values both human innovation and the maintenance of natural ecosystems.

Keywords

💡Industrial Paradigm

The industrial paradigm is described as a human-centered, mechanistic, and reductionist worldview that has dominated science, education, and economic thought since the Industrial Revolution. It posits humans as separate from and superior to nature, with the mission to dominate and reshape it. This paradigm views nature as a passive source of raw materials and a dumping ground for waste, devoid of intrinsic intelligence. The video script criticizes this perspective for its lack of holistic thinking and its focus on human-made technologies and monetary economy, which often leads to the exploitation and degradation of natural ecosystems.

💡Ecological Paradigm

In contrast to the industrial paradigm, the ecological paradigm is presented as a more complete and realistic worldview that acknowledges nature as a complex system of living ecosystems. It emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all life forms and the importance of maintaining the balance and diversity within these ecosystems. The ecological paradigm recognizes circular cycles such as the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles, which are essential for the sustainable functioning of nature. The video script uses this concept to advocate for a shift in economic thinking that values and integrates ecological health and sustainability.

💡Neoclassical Economics

Neoclassical economics is mentioned as a subset of the industrial paradigm, focusing on monetary transactions, markets, and the role of the state in regulating economic activities. It is criticized in the video for ignoring the ecological aspects of economic activities and for promoting endless economic growth, which often comes at the expense of environmental degradation. The script suggests that this form of economics is part of the problem when it comes to addressing environmental issues and sustainable development.

💡Organic Intelligence

Organic intelligence refers to the intrinsic intelligence of natural ecosystems, which the industrial paradigm fails to recognize. The video script argues that nature is not just a passive backdrop for human activities but possesses a form of intelligence that allows it to self-regulate and maintain balance. This concept is used to challenge the anthropocentric view of the industrial paradigm and to promote a more respectful and harmonious relationship with the natural world.

💡Sustainability

Sustainability is a key theme in the video, which is closely related to the ecological paradigm. It emphasizes the need for economic activities to be in harmony with nature and to ensure the long-term health and viability of ecosystems. The script contrasts this with the exploitative practices encouraged by the industrial paradigm, which prioritize short-term gains over long-term environmental stability.

💡Holistic Thinking

Holistic thinking is presented as a necessary approach to understanding and interacting with the world, especially in the context of the ecological paradigm. It involves considering the whole system and the interconnections between its parts, rather than focusing on isolated elements. The video script criticizes the industrial paradigm for promoting a reductionist approach that fails to see the bigger picture and contributes to environmental problems.

💡Urban Lifestyle

The urban lifestyle is discussed as a factor that contributes to the dominance of the industrial paradigm. It is characterized by a disconnection from nature and an overemphasis on human-made structures and technologies. The video script suggests that this lifestyle reinforces the mechanistic worldview and hinders the development of a more ecologically conscious society.

💡Industrial Education

Industrial education is portrayed as an educational system that prepares students for careers in corporations and industries, often at the expense of fostering a deeper understanding of nature and ecological systems. The video script argues that this form of education perpetuates the industrial paradigm by emphasizing technical specialization and human-made technologies over holistic thinking and ecological awareness.

💡Specialization

Specialization is highlighted as a tendency within the industrial paradigm to focus on narrow fields of study and expertise. While this can lead to advancements in specific areas, the video script suggests that it can also result in a loss of the ability to see the bigger picture and understand complex systems like ecosystems. This narrow focus is criticized for contributing to the environmental issues by overlooking the interconnectedness of various aspects of life.

💡Monetary Production

Monetary production refers to the economic activities that involve the production of goods and services for sale in the market, which generate income. The video script contrasts this with non-monetary production, such as the natural processes that sustain life and the community-based production that does not involve market transactions. The script argues that the industrial paradigm's focus on monetary production often leads to the undervaluation of non-monetary forms of production, which are essential for ecological health and community well-being.

💡Non-Monetary Production

Non-monetary production is the concept of producing goods and services that do not involve market transactions or monetary exchange. This includes natural processes like the growth of plants and the purification of water, as well as community-based activities like bartering and shared resource management. The video script promotes the recognition of non-monetary production as a vital part of a sustainable and ecologically balanced economy.

Highlights

Introduction of the speaker, Torch, and their background in writing blog articles.

Shift in blog content from natural aquariums to economy and environment due to the speaker's PhD project.

The subject of the PhD project: why mainstream economics ignores ecology.

Definition of mainstream economics as neoclassical economics.

Explanation of industrial paradigm as a human-centered, mechanistic, and reductionist worldview.

The industrial paradigm's view of humans as separate from and dominant over nature.

Nature, according to the industrial paradigm, is seen as a resource for human use and progress.

The ecological paradigm presented as a more holistic and realistic worldview in contrast to the industrial paradigm.

Nature in the ecological paradigm is a living producer with circular cycles, unlike the linear processes in the industrial paradigm.

The ecological paradigm acknowledges various forms of production, including non-monetary.

Critique of the industrial paradigm's obsession with monetary economy and human-made technologies.

The ecological paradigm's view of human economy as part of nature, not separate.

The role of modern urban lifestyle in disconnecting people from nature and promoting the industrial paradigm.

The impact of modern industrial education in preparing individuals for corporate life and reinforcing the industrial paradigm.

The tendency of industrial education to reduce fields like biology to narrow technical specializations.

The argument that overemphasis on human-made technologies leads to an underemphasis on nature and holistic thinking.

Transcripts

hello my name is torch a liquid - Joel

first name is Toni written like T U and

C and spoken my tongue since many years

I've been writing blog articles for my

personal website

- Angela calm initially I was writing

more about natural aquariums but

recently I am writing more about economy

and environment because I am working on

such a PhD project the subject of my PhD

is why does mainstream economics ignore

ecology with mainstream economics

I mean neoclassical economics what is

industrial paradigm and what is

ecological paradigm the antithesis of

industrial paradigm let me read a bit in

my blog article this is how I defined

industrial paradigm industrial paradigm

is the human centered mechanistic and

reductionist worldview that dominates

science education and especially

economic thought since Industrial

Revolution for the industrial paradigm

we humans are not a part of nature we

are outside the realm of nature we stand

above all animals all other animals and

plants we are created to dominate and

reshape the nature which is a place of

vehicles barbarism and misery without

humans so for the industrial paradigm

nature or generally the ecosystems they

don't have any intrinsic intelligence

just a wild cows without intelligence

the world is created for us humans this

means nature can easily be sacrificed

for comfort convenience and progress of

humans the ideology of progress is also

a part of the industrial paradigm and

this ideology is closely related with

concepts like economic development

economic growth or technological

progress industrial paradigm versus

ecological paradigm this dichotomy of

many contrasts in this figure I tried to

summarize all the important differences

between industrial and ecological

paradigm industrial paradigm is actually

an illusion only a part of the world or

only a oversimplification of the real

world

ecological paradigm is the more complete

more realistic and holistic world view

you see industrial paradigm on the left

and a quadrakill paradigm on the right

in the industrial paradigm we have human

economy on the top of nature as the

dominating power nature is not a living

producer nature is only a passive non

living source of raw materials a passive

dumping ground and a passive

infrastructure of life without any

intelligence as mentioned in the article

nature is a place of wild chaos and

misery without human intervention

so nature has no intelligence

which I call in my other articles

organic intelligence there's another

aspect of industrial paradigm its

obsessed with monetary economy and

human-made technologies so for the

industrial paradigm human economy or

economy generally is about money markets

companies state as the regulating

organization buildings cars roads

smartphones computers that is human-made

things tools if we talk about concepts

like production or technology for the

industrial paradigm this is only about

money market companies state so in that

sense industrial paradigm is a kind of

business worldview business ideology

ecological paradigm is very different

for the ecological paradigm nature is

the primary producer nature is made of

many living ecosystems that are based on

a very rich by the diversity solidarity

competition and balance between many

different species plants animals fungi

everything bacteria so nature is the

primary producer and the production of

nature is generally based on circular

cycles for example there are natural

cycles like carbon cycle

water cycle nitrogen cycle calcium cycle

every kind of cycle this is different

very different because in the industrial

paradigm the concept of production is

generally based on linear processes not

on circular cycles and also in the

industrial paradigm we have this

input-output concept like a machine we

don't have complex internal cycles or

complex interrelationships for the

ecological paradigm human economy or

generally human production is only a

part of the nature ecological paradigm

can acknowledge all kinds of productions

including non-monetary production of

nature non-monetary production of

societies monetary production of

societies non-monetary production of

nature for example oceans as giant

ecosystems produce fish among many other

things forests as living ecosystems also

produced healing plants very tasty other

kinds of foods and clean water clean air

fertile soil non-monetary production all

societies for example a traditional

sustenance economy of a village can

produce many things like cheese clothes

food and we have the industrial

production monetary production of common

ecological paradigm can see all these

different kinds of productions you may

wonder how can such an incomplete and

biased worldview like the industrial

paradigm be developed and established as

the mainstream ideology yes I think

industrial paradigm is the mainstream

ideology I think there are two primary

reasons the first one is the modern

urban lifestyle totally disconnected

from nature and from soil the second one

is the modern industrial education that

prepares young people for the life at

corporations urban lifestyle typically

in a modern city you don't see much of

nature around you you generally see only

human main things like cars roads

buildings smartphones computers bureaus

so we live in a modern city in a very

mechanistic world enhance the

mechanistic world view industrial

education is generally proving fields

like literature Fine Arts music

philosophy that help holistic thinking

and in order to understand nature we

need holistic thinking I think the

primary purpose of industrial education

is really preparing young people for the

life at corporations so there is a

strong emphasis on human-made

technologies like biotech genetic

engineering computer

science artificial intelligence that are

required at corporations not for the

maintenance of ecosystems and also there

is a strong emphasis on technical

specialization in narrow fields such

fields like biotech genetic engineering

for example there is a tendency of

reducing biology to biotech or molecular

biology always narrow narrow narrow

technical fields and this emphasis on

specialization comes often at the cost

of losing the ability to see the

complete picture which is holistic

thinking I think if you over emphasize

one aspect of life like human-made

technologies or specialization you are

automatically under emphasizing other

aspects of life like nature or holistic

thinking