The moral philosophy of nature: Spiritual Amazonian conceptualizations of the environment

Abad Espinoza, Luis Gregorio (2019) The moral philosophy of nature: Spiritual Amazonian conceptualizations of the environment. Open Journal of Humanities, 1 (1). pp. 149-190. ISSN 2612-6966 [Article]

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Abstract (in English)

It is well known the harmful effects that savage capitalism has been causing to the environment since its introduction in a sphere in which a different logic and approach to nature are the essential conditions for the maintenance of the ecosystem and its complex relations between humans and non-human organisms. The amazon rainforest is a portion of the planet in which for thousands of years its human dwellers have been interacting with nature that it is understood beyond its physical condition. Thus, to what extent Amazonian’s approaches to nature could be considered as a moral philosophy through which the way of conceptualizing nature and its non-human denizens enhances the continuity of life and the intimate relations between entities? To answer this question, I will explore the cosmological system of the Shuar of the Ecuadorian Amazon with whom I lived for 5 months between July and November 2018, and thereby elucidate the spiritual relations that this society has with the metaphysical domain of nature.

Item Type:	Article
Authors:	Authors Email Abad Espinoza, Luis Gregorio l.abadespinoza@campus.unimib.it
Languages:	English
Keywords:	Shuar; Ecuador; Amazonia; Human-Non-Human Relations; Nature-Culture Dichotomy; Cosmology; Waterfalls
Subjects:	A. THEORETICAL AND GENERAL ASPECTS > 09. Philosophy of conservation Q. LANDSCAPES > 08. Ethnographic Landscapes H.HERITAGE TYPOLOGIES > 17. Intangible cultural heritage Q. LANDSCAPES > 07. Indigenous/Traditional landscapes J.HERITAGE ECONOMICS > 05. Heritage and sustainable development N.ANTHROPOLOGY > 01. Generalities N.ANTHROPOLOGY > 02. Ethnography N.ANTHROPOLOGY > 03. Ethnology N.ANTHROPOLOGY > 04. Other O.INTANGIBLE HERITAGE > 02. Oral traditions and expressions (including language) O.INTANGIBLE HERITAGE > 04. Social practices, rituals and festive events O.INTANGIBLE HERITAGE > 06. Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe P. GEOGRAPHIC AREAS > 01. Americas Q. LANDSCAPES > 04. Sacred/Burial Landscapes
Volume:	1
Number:	1
ISSN:	2612-6966
Depositing User:	Luis Gregorio Abad Espinoza
Date Deposited:	28 Feb 2020 15:04
Last Modified:	28 Feb 2020 15:04
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URI:	https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/2343

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