Environmental Crisis as The Ultimate Life Issue

Arnold Donozo

doi:10.57106/scientia.v7i1.83

Authors

Arnold Donozo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57106/scientia.v7i1.83

Keywords:

Environmental Crisis, Filipino Values, Moral-Spiritual Crisis, Eco-Theology, Eco-Philosopy

Abstract

The environmental-ecological problem that humanity faces today is believed to be as ‘the ultimate life issue.’ Such is the rationale for the study. This research investigates the said issue thru descriptive-historical research. Lonergan’s method is used as a framework of the study. Lonergan distinguishes four realms of meaning as: (1) common sense, (2) theory, (3) interiority, and (4) transcendence.

The investigation covers the gamut of the ecological problem, the causes and origins, the present environmental situation, its encompassing effects, and the different paradigmatic responses to it.

The environmental crisis can be traced from how the people’s mindset and cultural attitudes operate in relation to how nature can be used in the pursuit of science, modernization, growth, and progress. The sad state of the environmental degradation includes the prevalence of continued deforestation, uncontrolled flooding, topsoil erosion, heavily silted inland waterways, destruction of coral reefs, and various forms of pollution. Amidst the crisis, hope can be seen from the moral values and beliefs of Filipinos. Social principles can be transformed into practice through authentic human functioning associated with knowledge and choice.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Boff, L. Cry of the poor, cry of the earth. New York: Orbis Books.

Bokenkotter, T. 1992. Dynamic Catholicism: A historical catechism. New York: Image Books, 1997.

Byrne, B. Inheriting the Earth: The Pauline basis of a spirituality of our time. New York: Alba House, 1990.

Cajes, P.A. Anitism and Perichoresis: Towards a Filipino Christian Eco-theology of Nature. Quezon City: Our Lady of Angel Seminary, 2002.

Cane, B. Circles of hope: Breathing life and spirit into a wounded world.Makati: St. Paul Philippines, 1997.

Christiansen, D. & Grazer, W. (Eds). “And God saw that it was good:” Catholic theology and the environment. Washington: United States Catholic Conference, 1996.

Church, A.T. Filipino personality: A review of research and writings. Manila: De La Salle University Press Monograph Series Number 6, 1986.

Church, A.T. & Katigbak, M.S. Filipino personality: Indigenous and cross-cultural studies. Manila: De La Salle University Press, Inc, 2000.

Conn, W. Christian conversion: A developmental interpretation of autonomy and surrender. New York: Paulist Press, 1986.

Dorr, D. Integrated spirituality: Resources for community, peace, justice and the earth. New York: Orbis Books, 1990.

________. The social justice agenda: Justice, ecology, power and the Church.New York: Orbis Books, 1991.

Enriquez, V.G. From Colonial to Liberation Psychology: The Philippine Experience. Manila: De La Salle University Press, 1994a.

_______________. Pagbabangong dangal: Indigenous psychology and cultural empowerment. Philippines: Pugad Lawin Press, 1994b.

Gamalinda, E. (Ed.). Saving the earth: The Philippine experience. Manila: Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, 1990.

Grace, R.J. The transcendental method of Bernard Lonergan. Retrieved on July 1, 2002, from http://pages.sbcglobal.net/rjgrace/lonergan.htm, 2001.

Gorospe, V.R. Filipino values revisited. Manila: National Book Store, 1988.

Haughey, J.C. The faith that does justice: Examining the christian sources for social change. New York: Paulist Press, 1977.

Hill, B.R. Christian faith and the environment: Making vital connections. New York: Orbis Books, 1998.

Holland, J. & Henriot, P. Social Analysis: Linking faith and justice. Revised and Enlarged Edition. New York: Orbis Books, 1983.

Hui, S. Deforestation: Humankind and the global ecological crisis. Retrieved on June 22, 2002, from http://www.aquapulse.net/knowledge/deforestation.html, 1997.

International Commission on J.P.I.C. Manual for promoters of justice, peace and integrity of creation. Quezon City: Claretian Pulications, 1998.

Institute on Church and social Issues. The Philippine National Situationer. Quezon City: Institute on Church and Social Issues, 1999.

Johnson, E. A. Women, earth, and creator spirit. New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1993.

_______________. “Losing and finding creation in Christian Tradition,” in Hessel, and R.R. Ruether. (2000). (Eds). Christianity and ecology: Seeking the well-being of earth and humans. Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2000.

Lonergan, B.J.F. Introducing the thought of Bernard Lonergan. London: Darton, Longman & Tood, (1973).

Lonergan, B.J.F. Method in theology. Canada: Toronto University Press, 1994.

McDonagh, S. To care for the earth: A call to a new theology. London: Goeffrey Chapman, 1986.

McDonagh, S. The greening of the church. New York: Orbis Books, 1990.

_______________. Passion for the earth: The christian vocation to promote justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. London: Geoffrey Chapman, 1994.

McFague, S. The body of God: An ecological theology. London: SCM Press, Ltd, 1993.

Natividad, E.L. Chaos Theory and Theology: Scientific perspectives on Divine action. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, De La Salle University, Manila, 2000.

Northcott, M.S. The environment and Christian ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

Robbins, O., & Solomon, S. Choices for our future: A generation rising for the life on earth. Tennessee: Book Publishing Company, 1994.

Romero, S.E. Changing Filipino values and the re-democratization of governance. In Han Sung-Joo. (1999). (Ed.). Changing values in Asia: Their impact on governance and development. Tokyo: Japan Center for International Exchange, 1999.

Ruether, R.R. (Ed.). Women healing earth: Third world women on ecology,feminism, and religion. New York: Orbis Books, 1996.

______________. Sexism and God-Talk: Toward a feminist theology. New York: Paulist Press, 1983.

Ruether, R.R. The biblical vision of ecological crisis. Retrieved on July 5, 2002 from http://www.religion-online.org/cgi-bin/relsearchd.dll/

showarticle?item_id=1807, 1978.

Ryan, T. Ecology. In Dwyer, J.A. (1994). (Ed). The new dictionary of Catholic social thought. Collegeville, Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1994.

Smith, P. What are they saying about environmental ethics? NY/Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1997.

Streeter, C.M. “Aquinas, Lonergan, and the split soul,” Theology Digest, 32, 4, 1985.

Swimme, B. Where does your faith fit in the cosmos? Retrieved September 14, 2001, in http://www.uscatholic.org/1997/06/cosmos.html, 1997.

Time Magazine. Global warming: Feeling the heat. Time Magazine Special Report. 9 April 2001.

Wenz, D.S. Environmental ethics today. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.

White, L. The historical roots of our ecological crisis. Retrieved on July 5, 2002 in http://www.zbi.ee/~kalevi/lwhite.htm, 2002.

Utting, P. (Ed.). Forest policy and politics in the Philippines: The dynamics of participatory conservation. Quezon City: United Nations Research for Social Development and Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2000.

Zimmerman, M.E. (Ed.). Environmental philosophy: From animal rights to radical ecology. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1993.