Berque 2

Summary

The transcript discusses the ecological footprint calculator as a method to measure human impact on the environment. It critiques the modern ontological view that equates existence with the physical body, suggesting it's outdated. Philosophers Heidegger and Watsuji offer alternative perspectives, emphasizing the relational space between subjects and objects. Heidegger's 'being towards death' and Watsuji's 'medians' concept highlight the importance of social and environmental relationships in defining human existence, proposing a more holistic approach to understanding our ecological impact.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The ecological footprint calculator is suggested as a tool to translate human economic needs into environmental sustainability terms.
• 🔄 Despite using tools like the ecological footprint calculator, there's a disconnect between our actions and knowledge regarding environmental impact.
• 🌌 The concept of 'cosmology' is introduced as a holistic view that binds the universe together, which is lacking in modern society according to Burke.
• 🧠 Modern ontological viewpoints are criticized for being outdated, focusing on the individual body as the sole existence, disconnected from the environment.
• 📚哲学家Heidegger和Watsuji are mentioned as offering alternative views on human existence that emphasize the 'between' space of subject and object.
• 🔨 Heidegger discusses how our use of tools and environment is intuitive and unthought until something breaks down, highlighting our extended existence beyond our bodies.
• 🌱 Watsuji expands on Heidegger's ideas by introducing 'medians', the relational space that defines human existence, emphasizing social and environmental connections.
• 💡 The concept of 'being towards death' in Heidegger is contrasted with Watsuji's view that the impermanence of individuals is what socially binds us and is more stable than individual existence.
• 🌱 Watsuji argues that the collective human sociality and its relationship with the environment are the most real and important aspects of existence.
• 🔄 Burke suggests that understanding these philosophical views can change how we approach and apply knowledge from tools like the ecological footprint calculator.

Q & A

What is the ecological footprint calculator mentioned in the transcript?

The ecological footprint calculator is a tool used to measure human demand on the environment by translating economic needs into environmental terms, such as how much coal can be used based on natural availability and production rates.

Why does Burke suggest that our actions and knowledge aren't synced up even with the use of the ecological footprint calculator?

Burke suggests that our actions and knowledge aren't synced because we lack a cosmology, which is a worldview that recognizes the interconnectedness of everything in the universe, and instead, we live in a de-cosmized state.

What does the term 'de-cosmized' refer to in the context of the transcript?

In the context of the transcript, 'de-cosmized' refers to a state where people do not recognize or pay attention to the interconnectedness of all things in the universe, leading to a disconnection from a holistic worldview.

How does the transcript connect the concept of cosmology to environmental issues?

The transcript connects cosmology to environmental issues by arguing that a lack of cosmology, or a holistic view of the universe, leads to a failure to recognize our interconnectedness with the environment, thus impacting our actions and knowledge about ecological sustainability.

What philosophical views does the transcript suggest to better understand humankind's relation to its environment?

The transcript suggests the philosophical views of Heidegger and Watsuji to better understand humankind's relation to its environment, as they focus on the relational space between subjects and objects, and the social and environmental connections.

What is the 'between space' concept discussed in relation to Heidegger's philosophy?

The 'between space' concept in Heidegger's philosophy refers to the relational space that exists between subjects and objects, emphasizing that what is most real and most being is not the individual subjects or objects themselves, but the relationships and interactions between them.

How does Heidegger's concept of 'being towards death' influence the understanding of human existence?

Heidegger's concept of 'being towards death' suggests that human existence is structured by the inevitability of death, which gives life its meaning and urgency. It implies that our actions and existence are defined by our mortality and the finite nature of our being.

What is the concept of 'medians' as introduced by Watsuji, and how does it relate to human existence?

Watsuji's concept of 'medians' refers to the structural moment of being human, which is the relational space between subjects and objects, or between individuals. It suggests that human existence is not defined by individuality alone but by the relationships and connections that individuals have with each other and their environment.

How does Watsuji's view on the impermanence of individuals relate to the stability of human sociality?

Watsuji argues that the impermanence and instability of individual humans are subsumed by the more stable entity of the collective, which in turn is connected to nature. This suggests that human sociality and our existence in relation to the environment are more stable and significant than any single individual.

What is the significance of the relational space between individuals and the environment according to the transcript?

The relational space between individuals and the environment is significant because it represents the structure of human existence, where our identity and being are not limited to our individual bodies but extend into our social and environmental connections, forming the most real and fundamental aspect of our existence.