Could Humans Become Exceptionally Beneficial?

Time for a New Worldview

One of the major threads running through our Western European worldview is the notion of “Human Exceptionalism”. It’s the belief that humans are superior to, and can thrive without, the myriad other species that also inhabit this planet. The Western worldview holds that humans have rights, but non-human species and the rest of nature do not. Nature’s purpose and value is to benefit humans; it is here to be used, extracted, commodified. Human exceptionalism is also at the heart of the belief that we can technology-our-way-out of the tremendous damage we are doing to the natural systems upon which we depend.

As I noted in a previous post, part of what bolstered the buy-in to human exceptionalism was western Christianity’s Biblical story that God gave humans the charge to tame, subdue and have “dominion” over all the other species and nature itself (Genesis Chapter 1 verses 26-28). To me, this interpretation is further evidence that God didn’t make man in Its own image, but rather man (or at least a relatively small group of men vying for political power and social control) made a God in their image.

Last week I taught a five-day long spiritual education class for Unity Worldwide Ministries, on the subject of foundational New Thought teachings. The readings we were working with were rich and profound, and like most, clothed in very anthropocentric (human-centric) language. Emilie Cady is one of my favorite early New Thought authors and teachers. However, I took issue with her statement in Lessons in Truth, that humans are the last and highest manifestation of divine energy and the most complete expression of God and that we therefore were given dominion over the other manifestations of Creation. That kind of language perpetuates human exceptionalism and sticks in my eco-centric craw! However, when I expressed my distaste, one of the students shared a very insightful angle. She views dominion, in the context of the Genesis scripture, as meaning having a responsibility toward our fellow species. She noted, rightly so, that whether you do or don’t believe humans are the “highest manifestation”, we certainly are the only species with the ability to wipe out the others and change the very chemistry of our atmosphere, so we do indeed have a sort of dominion status even if we are using it in irresponsible and harnful ways.

Our discussion got me thinking, once again, about the power of stories and how we interpret them. Human exceptionalism is so deeply ingrained in our Western cultural worldview, that it’s almost never questioned. But it is, actually and in fact, just a story that we have created. It is a story based in separation-consciousness and arrogance. And we continue telling, and believing, this particular story even as nature gives us one real-world example after another that we are not separate from and immune to the damage we are wreaking – think wildfires, unusually intense hurricanes, extreme flooding, etc. etc.

As we careen along this story line of separation, the worship of technological quick fixes, and dogged avoidance of behavior and deep system change, we are like Wiley Coyote trying to solve one problem by leaping to the next. We lean over to grab a meal from the barbecue pit, spin around and catch our tail on fire, then race to a bucket to put it out not realizing the pail is full of gasoline. So, leap into a river to put out the flames only to get battered, dashed and nearly drown in rapids.

Just consider the horrific situation with the recent fires ravaging Hawaii. The climate there is becoming drier and hurricanes more intense due to climate change but neither state nor federal leaders have actually done anything substantive to slow climate related emissions. Hawaiian officials and utility companies appear to have ignored warnings about wild fire risk and failed to take preparative steps. Now, it’s especially hard to respond to the devastation because the homes, businesses, gas stations, etc. were so packed with toxic chemicals that the air and water are major health hazards. Wiley Coyote style to be sure.

Back in college, I learned of the Precautionary Principle, which is a policy approach that bans technology and industrial activities that have unknown environmental (or other) impacts. In other words, it is the approach that until and only if, the activity can be proven relatively harmless it will not be allowed. Given that we are dealing with the health of this miraculous and one-of-kind planet a precautionary approach seems wise. But alas, it is abundantly clear that the Precautionary Principle has not been much employed in our dealings with nature and our prioritization of extraction and profits over conservation and restoration. In fact, I don’t think I ever again heard the term, Precautionary Principle, post-college … until last week.

After weeks of meetings and negotiations, the 168-member International Seabed Authority (ISA), decided not to approve deep-sea mining of minerals due to the likely destruction of critical habitats and marine plants and animals, many of which are at such depths they’ve never even been documented. This is an encouraging decision because there is strong desire by certain capitalists and corporations to profit from these deep-sea habitats. After all, nature and other species are really just here for the using. For now at least, the ISA is choosing to employ a little humility, demonstrating that just because humans can do something doesn’t mean we should. That’s exceptional in that, sadly, such humility and wisdom is indeed exception rather than norm under our current predominant worldview.

What will be truly exceptional will be when modern humans remember that we are a part of rather than apart from Nature, re-cognize that this blue white green spinning planet is sacred, miraculous and worth far more than what we can extract from her, and evolve a worldview that allows humanity to become a restorative, rather than extractive, force. That’s a story worth telling, worth creating. That’s a story likely to have a happy and beautiful ending.

Bringing this closer to home we can all employ a little Precautionary Principle in our own lives by being intentional and avoiding purchasing things that can’t be recycled, filling our homes and garages with toxic cleaning chemicals, or using poisonous pesticides in our homes and yards.

Finally, we can actively use the power of Imagination to help create the new story. Despite all the gadgets and wonders and amazing machines modern humans have had the ingenuity to devise, the most sophisticated technology known is the truly exceptional mind, body, spirit complex that is each and every one of us. Every story, and every solution ever created starts at the level of imagination and then becomes manifest in the material world. I urge you to use your magnificence to help create the new, more beautiful story in whatever way lights you up.

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” — Rachel Carson

Much love,

Cylvia

P.S. Speaking of exceptional on a much lesser level, I just turned 56. Wild! Here’s a pic of my Beloved and me celebrating this last turn around the sun.