The most common responses to questions about recycling, reducing, reuse, or recycling I hear are from people who want to preserve the world’s heritage and future generations. These are excellent answers, but it is important to remember that the logic of environmentalalism is founded in the value of people. Intuitively, we know that we don’t owe any rock anything, even one as large as a planet. This is because one’s moral obligation is owed to people and not things. This is why we walk on rocks, not people.
The environment is very depressing without people. This is why modern philosophy continues to undermine environmentalalism. Alex Rosenberg, chair of Duke University’s philosophy department, summarizes succinctly the foundation of modern thought: All facts are fixed by the physical facts. This seems to summarise the secular perspective and leads philosophers such as Rosenberg to the following conclusion: What is reality’s nature? This is what physics has to say. What is the purpose or the meaning of the universe. There is no purpose to the universe. What is the meaning and purpose of life? Ditto.
I expressed my concern about the physics-only worldview to the man from GreenpeaceI asked him: Why bother caring about the environment or future generations. I explained that Physics tells us that the sun is now dying, and as it does so it will expand until the earth is consumed by fire. If my life, and the planet, are going to be destroyed and ultimately meaningless, then I should grab what I can while I still can. He said, “Thats messed-up.” I agree. I agreed.
It is strange that universities teach that physical facts are the only way to know the truth, but that you should still recycle. Environmentalism is not a fact. What do I owe to a meaningless universe Nothing! But that is a mistake and justifies the man’s disgust. What is the alternative? Rethinking our worldview. Maybe we are aware that the environment has a direct relationship to God. Why is the environment and future generations important? Because God matters. My responsibility to the future generations and the environment is grounded in my relationship God. God also gives life and the universe meaning and purpose. If you care about the future generations and the environment, I encourage you not to forget God.
Dr Andy Steiger Author of Reclaimed
