Contempt for traditional atttitudes to nature

Loss of reverence for life

Nature

Contempt for traditional attitudes to nature refers to the dismissal or devaluation of long-established beliefs, practices, and cultural norms regarding the natural world. This problem often arises in the context of modernization, industrialization, and globalization, where technological progress and economic interests overshadow indigenous knowledge and sustainable practices. Such contempt can lead to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and the erosion of cultural heritage. By disregarding traditional ecological wisdom, societies risk undermining sustainable relationships with nature, exacerbating ecological crises, and diminishing respect for the interconnectedness of human and natural systems.

Background

The global disregard for traditional attitudes to nature gained prominence in the mid-20th century, as rapid industrialization and modernization marginalized indigenous and local ecological knowledge. Scholars and activists began documenting the erosion of sustainable practices, notably after the 1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment. Subsequent international reports, such as the 1999 UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity, highlighted the loss of traditional environmental stewardship, prompting renewed attention to its significance in biodiversity and cultural preservation.

Incidence

Contempt for traditional attitudes to nature is evident across multiple continents, as rapid modernization and industrialization often override indigenous and local ecological knowledge. This trend is particularly pronounced in regions experiencing urban expansion, resource extraction, and agricultural intensification, where ancestral practices of land stewardship are dismissed or marginalized. The global scale of this phenomenon contributes to the erosion of biodiversity, loss of cultural heritage, and increased environmental degradation, making it a significant concern for both ecological sustainability and cultural diversity.
In 2022, in the Brazilian Amazon, government-backed infrastructure projects disregarded the ecological wisdom of Indigenous communities, leading to deforestation and social conflict.

Claim

During most of human history, people have been guided in their actions by traditional customs and beliefs, not by consideration of short-term self interest. At present there is a growing contempt for such blind faith as people believe they are more rational. But old customs, which evolved over long periods, often (although not always) had deeper reasons behind them, even if these reasons were not understood by most of the people adhering to such customs. For example, the prohibition by certain religions against the consumption of pork makes sense when it is realized that pork is a frequent transmitter of parasitic diseases. And why did putting a horse in the field where cows were grazing inhibit the development of foot-and-mouth disease ? Traditional modes of behaviour often served the function of letting people live in peace with nature and with one another. As such traditions lose their power over people's ways of conducting themselves and are evaluated critically, they must be replaced by a new awareness of necessities, based on a more scientific understanding of the world which will lead people to behave in ways consistent with long-term survival. Otherwise loss of reverence for nature and for life may lead to disaster.

Counter-claim

Contempt for traditional attitudes to nature is not an important problem at all. Societies must evolve, and clinging to outdated views can hinder progress. Prioritizing innovation and scientific understanding over nostalgia is essential for addressing real environmental challenges. Worrying about disrespect for old beliefs distracts from practical solutions. The focus should be on effective action, not on preserving sentimental attitudes that may no longer serve our planet’s best interests.