Hi and welcome to my user page! My name is Jessica Maguire and I am a senior at Bucknell University. I will graduate in May with my degree in economics and religion.

Some of the topics that I am considering for my main project are

1) Arcadian Ecology. There is not currently a page for this topic on Wikipedia. From a preliminary search online and of our University article database there seems to be enough information to create a useful page for Wikipedia. Acadian Ecology was and is a way for humans to look at ecology that suggest that humans are in harmony with nature and therefore should not dominate nature. By adding a page about this topic it could show a historical and academic look at a topic that could be useful to people all over the world. By adding something new with a different perspective that remains academic then Wikipedia may remain unbiased as a whole. In relation to my project my ambition is to work on a non-existant page because I find it that much more exciting!

Here is my preliminary research works cited as of 2/24/2014

1) Egerton, Frank N., and Laura D. Walls. "Rethinking Thoreau and the History of American Ecology." The Concord Saunterer 5 (1997): 4-20. Print.

2) Eliade, Mircea.The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion (trans. Willard R. Trask), New York: Harper Torchbooks, 1961. Print.

3) McIntosh, Robert P. The Background of Ecology: Concept and Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985. Print.

4) Mulligan, Martin. Ecological pioneers: A social history of Australian ecological thought and action. Cambridge University Press, 2001.

5) Oelschlaeger, Max. "Valuing Our Environment: A Philosophical Perspective." Ethics and the Environment 2.1 (1997): 81-90. Print.

6) Van Koppen, C.S.A.(Kris). "Resource, Arcadia, Lifeworld. Nature Concepts in Environmental Sociology." Sociologia Ruralis 3 (2000): 300-318. Print.

7) White, Gilbert. The natural history and antiquities of Selborne. Methuen: The Aberdeen University Press Limited, 1901.

8) Worster, Donald. Nature's Economy: A History of Ecological Ideas. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1985.

Wiki Outline

Arcadian Ecology is the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. The primitive relationship between humans and nature is one that has shaped the world, and will continue to determine it’s future. While Charles Darwin is sometimes credited with the title of a founding father of ecology, the real history begins in the eighteenth century with Gilbert White. White, a scholar and priest wrote, The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne, in 1789. It was a individual realization of ancient arcadian ideas of harmonious interactions between humans and nature. The evolution of Arcadian ecological thought continuously reverts back to the detailed letters and poems in this work. ^[1]. ^[2]

The harmonious relationship described by arcadian ecology establishes a responsibility to resist the domination of nature. Donald Woster in his book, Nature’s Economy: A History of Ecological Ideas, provides Imperial ecology as an opposing viewpoint on arcadian ecology. Imperial ecology takes a different approach, suggesting that humans should attempt to manage nature, because nature has been provided to benefit man. This contradiction is rooted in the struggle for ecologist to explain human relationship with nature while considering popular theological views of the time period. The discussion of Arcadian versus Imperial ecology would continue with prominent figures of the field such as Henry Thoreau and Charles Darwin. The long term implications of this debate has the potential to shape nature in the future as humans struggle with ethical debates and laws for preservation. ^[3]

History (IN PROGRESS)

The Arcadian stand point has its roots in several traditions that have historically had cultural implications shaping its place in ecology. Among these cultural views the rise of awareness inspired by Tomas in his work ‘’Man and the Natural World: Changing Attitudes in England 1500–1800’’. This contribution began to highlight animal rights and the inhumane treatment of animals during this time. The focus begins to shift from the biblical idea that animals were put on earth to serve man, to the realization that man must live in harmony with beast. ^[4]. The Renaissance movement created an atmosphere of romanticism that cultivated the appreciation of landscape, wilderness, and nature. It was said by Koppen, ‘’ The social theories that belong to the arcadian approach are particularly orientated to the recognition, elaboration and extension of the intrinsic values of nature, as well as to the social organization of their preservation’’ ^[5]. This is contrast to the other prominent view of the time Imperial Ecology. As development of the human world continued to expand it was understandable that many took the classical standpoint that nature was a force to be dominated in the quest for human convenience. It is in this difference that it can be clearly seen that the arcadian approach criticizes ‘resourcism’ and ‘reductionism’. ^[6]. Regardless of how easily resources could be manipulated to benefit the expansion of human culture there could and would be a greater benefit to resisting the temptation to dominate nature. The devastating consequences of over cultivating an area can be seen all over the world with the Dust Bowl being a famous example from the Western World.

Ethical Implications

Ethical and political implications of the Arcadian Ecology view point are ever popular in scholarly and media debates during this twenty-first century. The debate however, did not begin during the current time but rather has progressed over many centuries as humans attempt to grapple with their short and long term environmental impact. Max Oelschlaeger remarks, “Nearly 50 years ago Aldo Leopold identified the basic problem of conservation: learn how to live on the land without spoiling it”. ^[7]. It would also not even be fifteen years later when Rachel Carson wrote about Neanderthal science and it’s unreflective practitioners. ^[8].

A more reflective look at the United States’ environmental practices can show in depth the struggle of a relatively new country, with substantial economic means, to come to an agreement on appropriate actions regarding nature. Historically the United States has had significant expansion and over resourcing. The many national parks and government protected environmental lands were in part created because there was over framing and development. Specifically, the Adirondack Park in New York was created to ensure a continued water source to the New York City population and a natural environment to “recharge” from city life. ^[9]. Not all United States National Parks were created for reasons other than nature preservation, such as Yosemite National Park. Originally it was set aside as land to be undeveloped by those who foreshadowed the destructive path that development was bringing to nature. However, this originally Arcadian movement was dulled, when San Francisco needed a viable water supply after a devastating earthquake. This conservation issue sparked a major debate over the Hecth Hecty. The debate pitted major thinkers against each other including John Muir who thought there was “no holier temple than Yosemite” and Pinchot who was in favor of damming to provide water resources to San Francisco. ^[10].

In addition to National Parks the United States has put many laws into motion regarding environmental protection including; National Environmental Policy Act (1969), the Wilderness Act (1964) and even the Endangered Species Act (1973). These laws all celebrate the Arcadian harmony between nature and humans and ensure its preservation. Unfortunately, American's, according to Oelschlaeger are also, “the world’s leading consumers: our ecological footprints tread heavily on other parts of the planet”. ^[11].

One of the major problems in determining if there has been success in terms of the environment in the United States is the subjectivity that comes with this environmental issue. A look at the work by will suggest that the United States is an economic success story that utilized the natural resources to the best of their abilities. The view looks at nature not as a pawn, but a means to an end in production which has advanced the human race further than ever thought possible. ^[12]. In opposition, a prominent environmental philosopher, Joseph Petulla wrote a different story of the landscape of Brownlee. He saw the economic success coming at a costly price of the destruction of the American land. The Western civilization had encroached too far into nature and it was more reminiscent of Imperial Ecology rather than Arcadian Ecology. ^[13].