Who do we think we are? Attitudes to nature and our future | Matthijs Schouten | TEDxApeldoorn

[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

[Music]

[Music] who do we think we are

who do we think we are

who do we think we are are we humans the owners of this planet

are we humans the owners of this planet

are we humans the owners of this planet are the mountains ours the seas the

are the mountains ours the seas the

are the mountains ours the seas the rivers or are we

rivers or are we

rivers or are we stewards to the earth or are we partners

stewards to the earth or are we partners

stewards to the earth or are we partners to all animals to all plants to all that

to all animals to all plants to all that

to all animals to all plants to all that lives or are we simply part of nature

lives or are we simply part of nature

lives or are we simply part of nature now you may say now these are

now you may say now these are

now you may say now these are interesting philosophical questions that

interesting philosophical questions that

interesting philosophical questions that should be answered in academic

should be answered in academic

should be answered in academic classrooms they do not really concern me

classrooms they do not really concern me

classrooms they do not really concern me that would be a serious misconception it

that would be a serious misconception it

that would be a serious misconception it is crucial that each and every one of us

is crucial that each and every one of us

is crucial that each and every one of us considers our attitude to nature and now

considers our attitude to nature and now

considers our attitude to nature and now more so than ever before we live in

more so than ever before we live in

more so than ever before we live in extraordinary times global crises are

extraordinary times global crises are

extraordinary times global crises are unfolding that threaten our future

unfolding that threaten our future

unfolding that threaten our future there’s an alarming decrease in

there’s an alarming decrease in

there’s an alarming decrease in biodiversity even within the duration of

biodiversity even within the duration of

biodiversity even within the duration of this dog it’s quite likely that again

this dog it’s quite likely that again

this dog it’s quite likely that again another plant or animal species has

another plant or animal species has

another plant or animal species has become extinct through human impact and

become extinct through human impact and

become extinct through human impact and then there is the human induced change

then there is the human induced change

then there is the human induced change in climate which will affect all

in climate which will affect all

in climate which will affect all life-forms on this planet there’s no

life-forms on this planet there’s no

life-forms on this planet there’s no doubt that unless we change the way in

doubt that unless we change the way in

doubt that unless we change the way in which we treat the earth our home that

which we treat the earth our home that

which we treat the earth our home that were seriously endangering our own

were seriously endangering our own

were seriously endangering our own well-being and the well-being of all

well-being and the well-being of all

well-being and the well-being of all life on this planet now the way in which

life on this planet now the way in which

life on this planet now the way in which we treat the way in which we treat the

we treat the way in which we treat the

we treat the way in which we treat the earth that is connected to the image

earth that is connected to the image

earth that is connected to the image that we have of ourselves in this world

that we have of ourselves in this world

that we have of ourselves in this world the image of the human nature

the image of the human nature

the image of the human nature relationship or we could say it is

relationship or we could say it is

relationship or we could say it is connected to who we think we are and we

connected to who we think we are and we

connected to who we think we are and we all have a certain image of the human

all have a certain image of the human

all have a certain image of the human each relationship and certain attitude

each relationship and certain attitude

each relationship and certain attitude to nature and that attitude is formed

to nature and that attitude is formed

to nature and that attitude is formed during our lives and has two basic roots

during our lives and has two basic roots

during our lives and has two basic roots one root is our personal life history

one root is our personal life history

one root is our personal life history it makes a difference whether you’re

it makes a difference whether you’re

it makes a difference whether you’re born in the city or in the countryside

born in the city or in the countryside

born in the city or in the countryside because that determines whether you’re

because that determines whether you’re

because that determines whether you’re coming to contract contact with nature

coming to contract contact with nature

coming to contract contact with nature and how you come into contact with

and how you come into contact with

and how you come into contact with nature

nature

nature I myself was born in a small village in

I myself was born in a small village in

I myself was born in a small village in the south of the Netherlands surrounded

the south of the Netherlands surrounded

the south of the Netherlands surrounded by woodlands surrounded by heathens and

by woodlands surrounded by heathens and

by woodlands surrounded by heathens and all my childhood every free hour I spent

all my childhood every free hour I spent

all my childhood every free hour I spent in nature and that had a great impact on

in nature and that had a great impact on

in nature and that had a great impact on me I still vividly remember the call of

me I still vividly remember the call of

me I still vividly remember the call of the kukuana summer afternoon order the

the kukuana summer afternoon order the

the kukuana summer afternoon order the fragrance of the wild honeysuckle do you

fragrance of the wild honeysuckle do you

fragrance of the wild honeysuckle do you remember your first kiss you see when

remember your first kiss you see when

remember your first kiss you see when you for the first time foreign

you for the first time foreign

you for the first time foreign passionately in love and she at your

passionately in love and she at your

passionately in love and she at your first passionate kiss in the middle of a

first passionate kiss in the middle of a

first passionate kiss in the middle of a woodland your attitude to nature will

woodland your attitude to nature will

woodland your attitude to nature will forever be different from one when that

forever be different from one when that

forever be different from one when that would have happened in a nightclub but

would have happened in a nightclub but

would have happened in a nightclub but it’s not only our personal experience

it’s not only our personal experience

it’s not only our personal experience that shape our attitude to nature and

that shape our attitude to nature and

that shape our attitude to nature and other rude is in the cultural context in

other rude is in the cultural context in

other rude is in the cultural context in which we grow up because cultural

which we grow up because cultural

which we grow up because cultural systems also hold views also hold ideas

systems also hold views also hold ideas

systems also hold views also hold ideas and they are transferred to us by our

and they are transferred to us by our

and they are transferred to us by our parents or educators our teachers the

parents or educators our teachers the

parents or educators our teachers the books we read the media we watch when

books we read the media we watch when

books we read the media we watch when you’re as a child mesmerized by a spider

you’re as a child mesmerized by a spider

you’re as a child mesmerized by a spider and your mother tells you to kill it

and your mother tells you to kill it

and your mother tells you to kill it that shapes your attitude and when you

that shapes your attitude and when you

that shapes your attitude and when you read in a newspaper that nature

read in a newspaper that nature

read in a newspaper that nature conservation stands in the way of

conservation stands in the way of

conservation stands in the way of economic development that shapes your

economic development that shapes your

economic development that shapes your attitude now we in our Western

attitude now we in our Western

attitude now we in our Western civilization have traditionally held the

civilization have traditionally held the

civilization have traditionally held the view that nature is a resource that is

view that nature is a resource that is

view that nature is a resource that is there for us and that we own it and this

there for us and that we own it and this

there for us and that we own it and this idea emerged in the Classical period

idea emerged in the Classical period

idea emerged in the Classical period Aristotle the great philosopher

Aristotle the great philosopher

Aristotle the great philosopher Aristotle designed a hierarchy of

Aristotle designed a hierarchy of

Aristotle designed a hierarchy of natural things a great ladder of being

natural things a great ladder of being

natural things a great ladder of being starting with minerals lower plants

starting with minerals lower plants

starting with minerals lower plants higher plants lower animals higher

higher plants lower animals higher

higher plants lower animals higher animals and finally humans and stated

animals and finally humans and stated

animals and finally humans and stated that in this ladder of being it is the

that in this ladder of being it is the

that in this ladder of being it is the purpose of the lower to serve the higher

purpose of the lower to serve the higher

purpose of the lower to serve the higher now later classical philosophers

now later classical philosophers

now later classical philosophers translated this into the idea that the

translated this into the idea that the

translated this into the idea that the gods had designed nature to serve the

gods had designed nature to serve the

gods had designed nature to serve the highest being on earth

highest being on earth

highest being on earth the human being and that idea was

the human being and that idea was

the human being and that idea was adopted by Christianity and as such

adopted by Christianity and as such

adopted by Christianity and as such became very infant influential in the

became very infant influential in the

became very infant influential in the Western world some theologians claimed

Western world some theologians claimed

Western world some theologians claimed that God had created today so that

that God had created today so that

that God had created today so that humans could go to work and I’ve created

humans could go to work and I’ve created

humans could go to work and I’ve created tonight humans could rest not created

tonight humans could rest not created

tonight humans could rest not created fleas so that humans would not rest too

fleas so that humans would not rest too

fleas so that humans would not rest too long and the great British scholar Henry

long and the great British scholar Henry

long and the great British scholar Henry Moore wrote in the 17th century God has

Moore wrote in the 17th century God has

Moore wrote in the 17th century God has created cows in order to Keith to keep

created cows in order to Keith to keep

created cows in order to Keith to keep beef fresh for human consumption

beef fresh for human consumption

beef fresh for human consumption now most people our society now do not

now most people our society now do not

now most people our society now do not think in terms of a God who designed

think in terms of a God who designed

think in terms of a God who designed nature for human purposes but many

nature for human purposes but many

nature for human purposes but many people find it self-evident that nature

people find it self-evident that nature

people find it self-evident that nature is ours but it is there for us to use

is ours but it is there for us to use

is ours but it is there for us to use and this idea I think is plays an

and this idea I think is plays an

and this idea I think is plays an important part in the ecological crisis

important part in the ecological crisis

important part in the ecological crisis in the climate crisis because we treat

in the climate crisis because we treat

in the climate crisis because we treat the earth as a commodity we use it we

the earth as a commodity we use it we

the earth as a commodity we use it we abuse it we exploit it to exhaust it we

abuse it we exploit it to exhaust it we

abuse it we exploit it to exhaust it we destroy now not all cultural traditions

destroy now not all cultural traditions

destroy now not all cultural traditions health the view that humans are owners

health the view that humans are owners

health the view that humans are owners of nature the Jewish tradition it is

of nature the Jewish tradition it is

of nature the Jewish tradition it is said that we own humans do not own the

said that we own humans do not own the

said that we own humans do not own the planet but at the tenants of God’s

planet but at the tenants of God’s

planet but at the tenants of God’s creation and that implies that we should

creation and that implies that we should

creation and that implies that we should take good care of the earth that were

take good care of the earth that were

take good care of the earth that were stewards of the earth and that image is

stewards of the earth and that image is

stewards of the earth and that image is also present in the Islamic tradition

also present in the Islamic tradition

also present in the Islamic tradition and there are attitudes not so very long

and there are attitudes not so very long

and there are attitudes not so very long ago I was in Burma and Myanmar and at a

ago I was in Burma and Myanmar and at a

ago I was in Burma and Myanmar and at a certain moment a car broke down in the

certain moment a car broke down in the

certain moment a car broke down in the middle of nowhere and we reached a small

middle of nowhere and we reached a small

middle of nowhere and we reached a small petrol station and we had to wait for

petrol station and we had to wait for

petrol station and we had to wait for another car to pick us up at a certain

another car to pick us up at a certain

another car to pick us up at a certain moment a snake slithered across the road

moment a snake slithered across the road

moment a snake slithered across the road and the owner of the octave of the

and the owner of the octave of the

and the owner of the octave of the petrol station grabbed the snake and ran

petrol station grabbed the snake and ran

petrol station grabbed the snake and ran onto the road and what do you think he

onto the road and what do you think he

onto the road and what do you think he did no no no no they used to stick to

did no no no no they used to stick to

did no no no no they used to stick to carefully push it across the road so

carefully push it across the road so

carefully push it across the road so that it would not be killed by a car you

that it would not be killed by a car you

that it would not be killed by a car you see many Burmese Buddhists and for

see many Burmese Buddhists and for

see many Burmese Buddhists and for Buddhists animals our fellow creatures

Buddhists animals our fellow creatures

Buddhists animals our fellow creatures that also have a right to be there and

that also have a right to be there and

that also have a right to be there and should not be harmed

should not be harmed

should not be harmed they they are considered

they they are considered

they they are considered harder than people persons that’s what

harder than people persons that’s what

harder than people persons that’s what Native Americans called plans and

Native Americans called plans and

Native Americans called plans and animals of course they’re not people but

animals of course they’re not people but

animals of course they’re not people but they’re persons

they’re persons

they’re persons they’re beings with a personality of

they’re beings with a personality of

they’re beings with a personality of their own and this is another attitude

their own and this is another attitude

their own and this is another attitude this is the attitude of partnership

this is the attitude of partnership

this is the attitude of partnership humans and nature in partnership I may

humans and nature in partnership I may

humans and nature in partnership I may ask you who feels that we own nature who

ask you who feels that we own nature who

ask you who feels that we own nature who feels that were stewards of nature no

feels that were stewards of nature no

feels that were stewards of nature no one who feels that we’re partners of

one who feels that we’re partners of

one who feels that we’re partners of nature I would still like to carry it

nature I would still like to carry it

nature I would still like to carry it one step further in all these images

one step further in all these images

one step further in all these images owner Stuart partner there’s a

owner Stuart partner there’s a

owner Stuart partner there’s a separation between humans and nature

separation between humans and nature

separation between humans and nature they’re separate domains but can we

they’re separate domains but can we

they’re separate domains but can we separate ourselves from nature can we

separate ourselves from nature can we

separate ourselves from nature can we exist independent of nature are we not

exist independent of nature are we not

exist independent of nature are we not on every breath we take or nectar to the

on every breath we take or nectar to the

on every breath we take or nectar to the plants that produce or oxygen other not

plants that produce or oxygen other not

plants that produce or oxygen other not all kinds of minerals in our bodies that

all kinds of minerals in our bodies that

all kinds of minerals in our bodies that originate from the rocks of this earth

originate from the rocks of this earth

originate from the rocks of this earth and we not feed every day on the

and we not feed every day on the

and we not feed every day on the products of nature we cannot exist

products of nature we cannot exist

products of nature we cannot exist independent of nature that’s why some

independent of nature that’s why some

independent of nature that’s why some philosophers has have claimed that we

philosophers has have claimed that we

philosophers has have claimed that we are not entities in this world but

are not entities in this world but

are not entities in this world but entities of this world and the

entities of this world and the

entities of this world and the Vietnamese Zen master Thich that Han

Vietnamese Zen master Thich that Han

Vietnamese Zen master Thich that Han speaks about inter be nothing and no one

speaks about inter be nothing and no one

speaks about inter be nothing and no one can exist independent of all the rest we

can exist independent of all the rest we

can exist independent of all the rest we exist because all the rest exists and

exist because all the rest exists and

exist because all the rest exists and therefore we enter our with the world

therefore we enter our with the world

therefore we enter our with the world that means that our personal being is

that means that our personal being is

that means that our personal being is intimately linked to the well-being of

intimately linked to the well-being of

intimately linked to the well-being of this earth and this is an other attitude

this earth and this is an other attitude

this earth and this is an other attitude this is the attitude of participation of

this is the attitude of participation of

this is the attitude of participation of interbeing of interconnectedness and

interbeing of interconnectedness and

interbeing of interconnectedness and that is why I’m standing here and that’s

that is why I’m standing here and that’s

that is why I’m standing here and that’s why I’m holding this dog you see I love

why I’m holding this dog you see I love

why I’m holding this dog you see I love the earth and I care deeply about life

the earth and I care deeply about life

the earth and I care deeply about life in all its diversity and it hurts very

in all its diversity and it hurts very

in all its diversity and it hurts very deeply to see the destruction that we

deeply to see the destruction that we

deeply to see the destruction that we humans caused on this planet I feel that

humans caused on this planet I feel that

humans caused on this planet I feel that we urgently need to grow in our

we urgently need to grow in our

we urgently need to grow in our understanding and also our experience of

understanding and also our experience of

understanding and also our experience of participation of interbeing

participation of interbeing

participation of interbeing and living accordingly to it only then I

and living accordingly to it only then I

and living accordingly to it only then I feel we can create a future a

feel we can create a future a

feel we can create a future a sustainable future for ourselves and for

sustainable future for ourselves and for

sustainable future for ourselves and for all the life-forms that we share this

all the life-forms that we share this

all the life-forms that we share this planet with may ask you whom of you is

planet with may ask you whom of you is

planet with may ask you whom of you is optimistic about such a few

optimistic about such a few

optimistic about such a few raise your hands please

raise your hands please

raise your hands please they say I post this question to my

they say I post this question to my

they say I post this question to my students every year after a course and

students every year after a course and

students every year after a course and year after year I see the number of

year after year I see the number of

year after year I see the number of hands decrease and when I then ask the

hands decrease and when I then ask the

hands decrease and when I then ask the pessimists wider hole such bleak fuse

pessimists wider hole such bleak fuse

pessimists wider hole such bleak fuse they usually say yeah you see I can try

they usually say yeah you see I can try

they usually say yeah you see I can try to live sustainably and with respect for

to live sustainably and with respect for

to live sustainably and with respect for the earth but what difference does that

the earth but what difference does that

the earth but what difference does that make

make

make in the light of the global economic

in the light of the global economic

in the light of the global economic system the global financial system and

system the global financial system and

system the global financial system and and the political system and we’re over

and the political system and we’re over

and the political system and we’re over the world has become so complicated that

the world has become so complicated that

the world has become so complicated that I would not even know how to live

I would not even know how to live

I would not even know how to live sustainably anymore what to buy what not

sustainably anymore what to buy what not

sustainably anymore what to buy what not to buy what to eat what not to eat and

to buy what to eat what not to eat and

to buy what to eat what not to eat and here I think we touch on another crisis

here I think we touch on another crisis

here I think we touch on another crisis of our times a crisis that I find very

of our times a crisis that I find very

of our times a crisis that I find very worrying that is the sense of

worrying that is the sense of

worrying that is the sense of powerlessness many people feel that as

powerlessness many people feel that as

powerlessness many people feel that as individuals they have no impact on the

individuals they have no impact on the

individuals they have no impact on the future anymore but are we so powerless

future anymore but are we so powerless

future anymore but are we so powerless you see if you understand participation

you see if you understand participation

you see if you understand participation and interbeing

and interbeing

and interbeing you see that we are connected to this

you see that we are connected to this

you see that we are connected to this world in numerous ways and that in

world in numerous ways and that in

world in numerous ways and that in everything we do in everything we say

everything we do in everything we say

everything we do in everything we say now even would say in everything we

now even would say in everything we

now even would say in everything we think we impact on the world around us

think we impact on the world around us

think we impact on the world around us we are not without power and that point

we are not without power and that point

we are not without power and that point was brought home vividly to me a few

was brought home vividly to me a few

was brought home vividly to me a few years ago when I was at a conference

years ago when I was at a conference

years ago when I was at a conference where a young couple approached me with

where a young couple approached me with

where a young couple approached me with a little boy and I said may we introduce

a little boy and I said may we introduce

a little boy and I said may we introduce our son to you that’s of course and I

our son to you that’s of course and I

our son to you that’s of course and I said this is Mateus I said yes that’s a

said this is Mateus I said yes that’s a

said this is Mateus I said yes that’s a nice name isn’t it and then I said no no

nice name isn’t it and then I said no no

nice name isn’t it and then I said no no he has been named after you I’ve try a

he has been named after you I’ve try a

he has been named after you I’ve try a little worried asked do I know you and I

little worried asked do I know you and I

little worried asked do I know you and I said no no you do not know us but five

said no no you do not know us but five

said no no you do not know us but five years ago you were at a meeting where

years ago you were at a meeting where

years ago you were at a meeting where you cited a verse spoken by the Buddha

you cited a verse spoken by the Buddha

you cited a verse spoken by the Buddha and at far as this may all beings be

and at far as this may all beings be

and at far as this may all beings be happy and secure whether big or small

happy and secure whether big or small

happy and secure whether big or small weak or strong born or yet striving to

weak or strong born or yet striving to

weak or strong born or yet striving to be born may all beings be happy and

be born may all beings be happy and

be born may all beings be happy and secure this young couple had just heard

secure this young couple had just heard

secure this young couple had just heard that they were pregnant

that they were pregnant

that they were pregnant and at the side they had decided not to

and at the side they had decided not to

and at the side they had decided not to have the child because they felt too

have the child because they felt too

have the child because they felt too young to become parents and when I heard

young to become parents and when I heard

young to become parents and when I heard these words may all beings be happy and

these words may all beings be happy and

these words may all beings be happy and secure born yet striving to be born that

secure born yet striving to be born that

secure born yet striving to be born that looked into each other’s eyes and at

looked into each other’s eyes and at

looked into each other’s eyes and at that moment worthlessly decided to let

that moment worthlessly decided to let

that moment worthlessly decided to let the child be born now this changed my

the child be born now this changed my

the child be born now this changed my life because that’s the moment I

life because that’s the moment I

life because that’s the moment I realized what participation really means

realized what participation really means

realized what participation really means what interbeing really means by simply

what interbeing really means by simply

what interbeing really means by simply choosing a verse and citing it human

choosing a verse and citing it human

choosing a verse and citing it human being was born that otherwise would not

being was born that otherwise would not

being was born that otherwise would not have been there and had had not told me

have been there and had had not told me

have been there and had had not told me I would never have known so we’re not

I would never have known so we’re not

I would never have known so we’re not without power we constantly touch the

without power we constantly touch the

without power we constantly touch the world simply by being here but we very

world simply by being here but we very

world simply by being here but we very often do not see how we touch the world

often do not see how we touch the world

often do not see how we touch the world and of course no one of us will be able

and of course no one of us will be able

and of course no one of us will be able to change individually the global

to change individually the global

to change individually the global economic system or the global financial

economic system or the global financial

economic system or the global financial system and the question even if even is

system and the question even if even is

system and the question even if even is if it should be change or can be changed

if it should be change or can be changed

if it should be change or can be changed there are emergent complex systems that

there are emergent complex systems that

there are emergent complex systems that we cannot even unravel anymore but each

we cannot even unravel anymore but each

we cannot even unravel anymore but each and every one of us can become a new

and every one of us can become a new

and every one of us can become a new system by simply living a life from a

system by simply living a life from a

system by simply living a life from a deep sense of connectedness of

deep sense of connectedness of

deep sense of connectedness of participation we will form a resonance

participation we will form a resonance

participation we will form a resonance that will affect everything and everyone

that will affect everything and everyone

that will affect everything and everyone around us of course we will make

around us of course we will make

around us of course we will make mistakes and of course we sometimes do

mistakes and of course we sometimes do

mistakes and of course we sometimes do not know what to do that doesn’t matter

not know what to do that doesn’t matter

not know what to do that doesn’t matter the essence is the intention that

the essence is the intention that

the essence is the intention that intention will create resonance that

intention will create resonance that

intention will create resonance that will touch other people and when more

will touch other people and when more

will touch other people and when more and more people start to resonate in

and more people start to resonate in

and more people start to resonate in similar tones a new system will form and

similar tones a new system will form and

similar tones a new system will form and will simply replace the old system

will simply replace the old system

will simply replace the old system certain social scientists claim that

certain social scientists claim that

certain social scientists claim that when 25 percent of society have changed

when 25 percent of society have changed

when 25 percent of society have changed their worldview and act accordingly a

their worldview and act accordingly a

their worldview and act accordingly a tipping point is reach a paradigm shift

tipping point is reach a paradigm shift

tipping point is reach a paradigm shift will happen and society will change in

will happen and society will change in

will happen and society will change in one big wave now I think it’s safe to

one big wave now I think it’s safe to

one big wave now I think it’s safe to say that we’ve reached

say that we’ve reached

say that we’ve reached ten or fifteen percents ten or 50

ten or fifteen percents ten or 50

ten or fifteen percents ten or 50 percent of our society are already

percent of our society are already

percent of our society are already trying to live sustainably only ten

trying to live sustainably only ten

trying to live sustainably only ten percents more needed now if each and

percents more needed now if each and

percents more needed now if each and every one of us now tries to live from a

every one of us now tries to live from a

every one of us now tries to live from a deep sense of connection to all life the

deep sense of connection to all life the

deep sense of connection to all life the tipping point is reached in no time and

tipping point is reached in no time and

tipping point is reached in no time and a wave will form let’s start now

a wave will form let’s start now

a wave will form let’s start now [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]