Theocentrism and Human Responsibility:  Addressing Environmental Crisis Through Integral Ecology and Theology of Creation

Eddie Vicente Marquiño; Allan Basas

doi:10.57106/scientia.v15i2.227

Authors

Eddie Vicente Marquiño Institute of Religion, University of Santo Tomas- Manila https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7686-542X
Allan Basas University Of Santo Tomas- Manila

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57106/scientia.v15i2.227

Keywords:

Anthropocentrism, Creation, Ecocentrism, Integral Ecology, Stewardship, Theocentrism

Abstract

This study contributes to humanity's search for solutions to mitigate the worsening environmental conditions. We argue that a theocentric paradigm, which integrates ecocentrism and human responsibility in the relationship between humans and non-human creatures, will mitigate the current ecological problems. This article aims to integrate Pope Francis’ integral ecology and Thomas Aquinas’ theology of creation to provide a conceptual framework for reimagining human-nature relations in the context of the current environmental crisis. A theocentric paradigm of the relationship between human and non-human creatures corrects the anthropocentric model, which exploits the environment and other non-human creatures. Thus, we need a new approach to reimagining human-nature relations that balances the extreme view of anthropocentrism and improves environmental conditions. Thomas Aquinas' theology of creation underlines that all creatures manifest the continuing presence of God and that humans are responsible to God for how they treat other creatures. Pope Francis' integral ecology underscores the inherent value of non-human creatures and criticizes humanity's lifestyles that exploit the environment. Therefore, a theocentric paradigm invites human beings to become stewards of non-human creatures based on God's original design and intention.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aquinas, T. (n.d.). Summa Theologiae. Retrieved from: https://www.newadvent.org/summa/

Awad, N. (2012). Thomas Aquinas’ metaphysics of ‘relation’ and ‘participation’ and contemporary trinitarian theology. New Blackfriars, 93(1048), 652–670. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-2005.2010.01362.x

Baldner, S. (2024). Creation, Time, and Philosophy: Thomistic Reflections. Saint Anselm Journal, 19(2), 55–70.

Becker, J., & Schwartz, Wm. A. (2022). Process thought, education, and the Environmental Crisis: A tribute to John B. Cobb, Jr.. Buddhist-Christian Studies, 42(1), 53–67. https://doi.org/10.1353/bcs.2022.0002

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Brock, S. L. (2012). The Causality of the Unmoved Mover in Thomas Aquinas’s Commentary on Metaphysics XII. Nova et Vetera (English Edition), 10(3), 805–832.

Castillo, D. P. (2016). Integral Ecology as a liberationist concept. Theological Studies, 77(2), 353–376. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040563916635781

Cocks, S., & Simpson, S. (2015). Anthropocentric and Ecocentric. Journal of Experiential Education, 38(3), 216–227. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053825915571750

Deckers, J. (2004). “Christianity and Ecological Ethics: The Significance of Process Thought and a Panexperientialist Critique of Strong Anthropocentrism,.” Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 359–387. https://doi.org/10.1558/ecot.9.3.359.59073

Delio, I., Warner, K. D., & Wood, P. (2008). Care for creation a Franciscan spirituality of the Earth. St. Anthony Messenger Press.

Douglas, B. (2017). Transforming human society from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism. Health of People, Places and Planet: Reflections Based on Tony McMichael’s Four Decades of Contribution to Epidemiological Understanding. https://doi.org/10.22459/hppp.07.2015.37

Dube, M. W. (2015). “and god saw that it was very good”: An Earth-friendly theatrical reading of Genesis 1. Black Theology, 13(3), 230–246. https://doi.org/10.1179/1476994815z.00000000060

Dussault. (2016). Ecological nature: A non-dualistic concept for rethinking humankind’s place in the world. Ethics and the Environment, 21(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.2979/ethicsenviro.21.1.01

Edwards, D. (2016a). Earth as God’s Creation The Theology of the Natural World in Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’. Phronema, 31(2), 1–16.

Edwards, D. (2016b). “Sublime communion”: The theology of the natural world in Laudato Si’. Theological Studies, 77(2), 377–391. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040563916635119

Elliott, V. (2018). Thinking about the coding process in qualitative data analysis. The Qualitative Report. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2018.3560

Francis, P. (2015). Laudato Si’: Encyclical Letter On Care For Our Common Home. Laudato si’ (24 May 2015) | Francis. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

Francis, P. (2023). “Laudate Deum”: Apostolic exhortation to all people of good will on the Climate Crisis (4 October 2023): Francis. “Laudate Deum”: Apostolic Exhortation to all people of good will on the climate crisis (4 October 2023) | Francis. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20231004-laudate-deum.html

Grey, C. T. (2020). “‘The Only Creature God Willed For Its Own Sake’: Anthropocentrism in Laudato Si’ and Gaudium et Spes,”. Modern Theology, 36(4), 865–883. https://doi.org/10.1111/moth.12588

Hipp, S. A. (2012). Nature’s Finality and the Stewardship of Creation According to Saint Thomas Aquinas. Nova et Vetera (English Edition), 10(1), 143–191.

Hoffman, A. J., & Sandelands, L. E. (2005). “Getting Right With Nature: Anthropocentrism, Ecocentrism, and Theocentrism,.” Organization & Environment, 18(2), 141–162. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026605276197

Horan, D. P. (2019). Deconstructing Anthropocentric Privilege: Imago Dei and Nonhuman Agency. Heythrop Journal, 60(4), 560–570. https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.13279

Hrynkow, C. W. (2019). ‘A true ecological approach always becomes a social approach’: A green theo‐ecoethical lens, Pope Francis’ teaching, and Integral Social Justice. The Heythrop Journal, 60(4), 585–599. https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.12350

IBON Foundation. (2020, May 4). A glimpse at the critical state of the philippine environment. https://www.ibon.org/a-glimpse-at-the-critical-state-of-the-philippine-environment/

Kerber, G. (2020). “everything is interrelated.” The Ecumenical Review, 72(4), 596–608. https://doi.org/10.1111/erev.12549

Kim, J. W. (2006). The environmental impact of industrialization in East Asia and strategies toward Sustainable Development. Sustainability Science, 1(1), 107–114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-006-0006-5

Kopnina, H. (2016). Of big hegemonies and Little Tigers: Ecocentrism and environmental justice. The Journal of Environmental Education, 47(2), 139–150. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2015.1048502

Korolev, A. D. (2014). Anthropocentrism. Value Inquiry Book Series, 276, 17.

Liu, X. (2024). On proofs for the existence of god: Aristotle, Avicenna, and Thomas Aquinas. Religions, 15(2), 235. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15020235

Long, S. A. (2012). Thomistic Reflections On The Cosmos, Man, And Stewardship. Nova et Vetera (English Edition), 10(1), 193–213.

Lynch, R. (2024). Creation and grace: Understanding the pre-modern frame of aquinas’ approach to sanctification. Religions, 15(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15010002

Malcolm, H. (2020). Grieving the Earth as prayer. The Ecumenical Review, 72(4), 581–595. https://doi.org/10.1111/erev.12548

Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A step-by-step process of thematic analysis to develop a conceptual model in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789

Ndubueze, K. (2018). Responsible Environmental Stewardship for Sustainable Development in Africa: Edward Schillebeeckx’s Co-Humanity and Creaturality and Pope Francis’ Integral Ecology. In AFER: African ecclesial review (Vol. 60, Issues 1 & 2, pp. 119–139).

Owe, A., Baum, S. D., & Coeckelbergh, M. (2022). Nonhuman value: A survey of the intrinsic valuation of natural and artificial nonhuman entities. Science and Engineering Ethics, 28(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-022-00388-z

Pan-amazon synod. the working document for the synod of bishops. Pan-Amazon Synod. The Working Document for the Synod of Bishops. (2019). http://secretariat.synod.va/content/sinodoamazonico/en/documents/pan-amazon-synod--the-working-document-for-the-synod-of-bishops.html

Raluto, R. D. (2015). Poverty and Ecology at the Crossroads: Towards an Ecological Theology of Liberation in the Philippines. Ateneo de Manila University.

Salazar, D. J., & Alper, D. K. (2002). Reconciling environmentalism and the left: Perspectives on Democracy and Social Justice in British Columbia’s environmental movement. Canadian Journal of Political Science, 35(3), 527–566. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0008423902778347

Schlesinger, E. R. (2018). A Trinitarian basis for a “theological ecology” in light of Laudato Si’. Theological Studies, 79(2), 339–355. https://doi.org/10.1177/0040563918766699

Schweiker, W. (2018). The destiny of creation: Theological ethical reflections on Laudato Si’. Journal of Religious Ethics, 46(3), 479–495. https://doi.org/10.1111/jore.12228

Simkins, R. A. (2014). The Bible and anthropocentrism: Putting humans in their place. Dialectical Anthropology, 38(4), 397–413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10624-014-9348-z

Sivinski, & Ulatowski. (2019). The anthropocentrism of the Cosmic Perspective Argument. Ethics and the Environment, 24(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.2979/ethicsenviro.24.1.01

Tabaczek, M. (2022). Does god create through evolution? A Thomistic perspective. Theology and Science, 20(1), 46–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/14746700.2021.2012917

The climate crisis – a race we can win. The Climate Crisis – A Race We Can Win | United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. (n.d.). https://archive.uneca.org/stories/climate-crisis-%E2%80%93-race-we-can-win

Washington, H., Gomez-Baggethun, E., Piccolo, J. J., Kopnina, H., & Alberro, H. (2022). Harmony in conservation. Conservation, 2(4), 682–693. https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation2040044

Whelan, G. (2018). Integral Ecology and Interdiciplinary Collaboration: Michael Northcott and Bernard Lonergan in dialogue. The Heythrop Journal, 59(6), 929–943. https://doi.org/10.1111/heyj.13021

Yordy, L. R. (2010). Witness to god’s redemption of Creation. Worldviews: Global Religions, Culture, and Ecology, 14(2), 206–215. https://doi.org/10.1163/156853510x507310

Zulianello, M., & Ceccobelli, D. (2020). Don’t call it climate populism: On Greta Thunberg’s technocratic ecocentrism. The Political Quarterly, 91(3), 623–631. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-923x.12858