Elemente einer nicht szientistischen Naturkonzeption in der Klassischen Deutschen Philosophie
The project, funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung aims at developing a non-scientistic conception of nature beyond a purely mechanistic view. Drawing on Classical German Philosophy (from Kant to Jonas), it elaborates a dialectical philosophy of nature that affirms both the intrinsic value of nature and the specificity of human beings with their freedom and responsibility. The project advances a model of “modified anthropocentrism”, integrating the extremes of physiocentrism and anthropocentrism.
Objective
In view of the major social and political challenges connected to the ecological crisis humanity is currently facing, the environmentally destructive consequences of a human–nature relationship become evident in which the human being is regarded as the rational ruler over material nature and has legitimized its exploitation for the sake of self-preservation. In this model, nature is reduced to a purely mechanical and material object of scientific analysis. Against this background, my research project aims to develop a non-scientistic conception of nature, one that is not limited to the scientific understanding of nature and its methods. It elaborates a dialectical philosophy of nature that proves its systematic relevance in current debates in environmental ethics by recognizing, on the one hand, the intrinsic value of nature and, on the other, the specificity of human beings, their individual rights to freedom, and their personal responsibility. This conception is developed through an interpretative analysis of the authors of Classical German Philosophy, from Kant to Jonas, and is intended to serve as a foundation for a fruitful and responsible relationship with both nature and humanity, with ethically adequate implications on political, social, and even legal levels. I argue for a “modified anthropocentrism”, which acknowledges the distinctiveness of the human being as a self-conscious, responsible, and free creature within nature, while at the same time not denying nature’s intrinsic value. In this way, and through an original, still to be tested approach, I integrate the two extreme positions of contemporary environmental ethics—physiocentrism and anthropocentrism—and demonstrate the systematic relevance of Classical German Philosophy for the elaboration of such a non-scientistic conception of nature.
