A part of Nature or apart from Nature: a case for bio-philiation

Abstract

Diverse inheritances of knowledge and experiences, along with current explorations of holistic sustainability, shows the potential for ecological longevity and how entanglements with natural worlds might be re-thought toward a better sharing of the world. Through an interdisciplinary lens, this article re-considers Edward O Wilson’s rendering of biophilia, as a response to present Anthropocene crises. The paper further argues for a stronger re-turn to First Nations ontologies, sustainability practices and dialogue, in the hope of re-discovering how being ‘a part of’ nature might better endorse a ‘love of nature’. Embedded in such inter-disciplinary and critical embodiment praxis are signification systems shown through nature/culture confluences, spiritual beliefs and traditions, that form part of a knowledge plexus that calls on humanity to act urgently.