Nature & Culture

Beskrivelse

Nature & Culture explores eco-philosophy, a movement born in post-WWII Norway that seeks balance between ecological limits and growth. It traces the rise of hydropower development amid rapid industrialisation and the evolving conservation debates.

Examining the origins and key figures of eco-philosophy in Norway's industrial era.

Eco-philosophy emerged in Norway during the swift industrial expansion after the Second World War, focusing on living harmoniously within ecological boundaries. At that time, Norway’s economy saw hydropower as a promising path to fuel growth, leading to widespread dam construction in mountainous areas to support the welfare state.

This development eventually sparked criticism. Peter Wessel Zapffe, an author and lawyer, lamented the loss of waterfalls and the unique Norwegian spirit connected to them. Despite this, the 1960s conservation movement struggled to counter the strong arguments of industrial growth advocates.

Three Norwegians were key in shaping the eco-philosophy discourse:

• Nils Faarlund, a chemical engineer, contributed to ecology by introducing the idea of 'change with joy.'
• Professor Arne Naess laid the philosophical groundwork, drawing inspiration from Baruch Spinoza’s ethics and Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence principles.
• Sigmund Kvaloy Setreng advanced political activism through civil disobedience and developed theoretical frameworks opposing the industrial growth society.

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