Critical reflections on Lynn T. White Jr’s ideas on the ecological crisis

Abstract

The study is a reflection on Lynn Townsend White’s ideas on the roots of the ecology crisis. Modelling arguments and counter arguments on the notion that medieval Christianity, has resulted in destructive handling of nature that has led to the toxic anthropocentrism. Methodologically, a phenomenological approach was adopted with White and his ideas as its idiographic focus. Furthermore, the study also examined why and how is Christianity is viewed as having doctrine that promotes destruction of the environment by White. Modelling and resorting to supportive and counter arguments in relation to the notion that medieval Christianity, promoted an anthropocentrism and exploitative attitude towards nature, the study scrutinized how and why Christianity is viewed as the origin of the ecological crisis, through reflecting on Christian medieval view on nature; which resulted in animism elimination, over emphasis on anthropocentrism and theocentrism. Finally, the reflection exhorted the exploration of St Francis of Assisi’s life experiences and teachings a Christian radical in the words of White, due to the fact that his life and expression of faith had enough dose of animism which was and is under bastardization/elimination threat by the mainstream Christianity.