Man’s Place in Nature. The Biocentrism of Zdzisława Piatek vs. the Anthropology of Tadeusz Ślipko and Piotr Mazur
Abstract
Man’s Place in Nature. The Biocentrism of Zdzisława Piatek vs. the Anthropology of Tadeusz Ślipko and Piotr MazurThis article concerns the issue of human beings’ role and purpose in nature, taking as its central example the biocentric conception developed by Zdzislawa Piatek. Man’s relation to his natural environment is an extremely important one. Our habitat shapes our lives and allows civilization to progress, yet life and progress can themselves pose a threat to the environment. It is for this reason that ecological matters have attracted such attention amongst a variety of specialists over the last few decades – not only from those working in the field of the natural sciences, but also from philosophers, in that the threat of ecological crisis has emerged in connection with civilizational advancement.
The goal of this article is to give an adequate account of the place of human beings in this system. By an “adequate account”, I mean one that defines the place and purpose of humans within their habitat in terms that allow for a consideration of spiritual, physical and moral aspects of human nature. With this ultimate aim in mind, the first part of the article presents the biocentric conception of Piatek.
Following on from this, the author considers the theocentric philosophy of Slipko and classical anthropology as construed by Mazur – both of which are opposed to biocentric philosophy. The final part then presents the author’s own conclusions.
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