Natural ecology and human ecology to John Paul II

Abstract

The issue of natural ecology and human ecology has not been given much attention especially as a formal object of discussion. Pope John Paul II as philosopher and theologian broke away from popular understanding of ecological issues only in relation to the physical natural environment. He shocked the world of science when he ascribed the moral laws to the natural environment. Although the physical world has its logic which must be respected and cultivated, the human environment is more delicate and calls for change in life-style and attitude. The human person was called from the beginning to explore this logic and to relate it to himself and to the truth. Thus, John Paul II holds that at heart of ecological case and environmental unity is the special worth of the person. Thus, all initiatives to improve man’s natural environment; either through scientific methods or commercial methods of industrialization or urbanization should be geared to the development of the human person. Hence, this study will employ a person-centred approach as its method of understanding the relationship between man and all his environment. It attempts to find the “controlling idea”, in the ecological theology of Pope John Paul II; in order to identify this “controlling idea” hermeneutics of the spirit is used as a tool. This hermeneutics of the spirit investigates the world-view of the author and his or her philosophy. In the case of this study a personalism philosophy is employed since it stresses the value of being self-conscious and informed by his personal experiences. In summary one could say John Paul II embraced and pioneered what is now known as integral ecology. The ecology that takes into account all disciplines of inquiry that contribute to the balance of nature.