This particular statement is how Erich fromm defined biophilia from a more general perspective. When breaking down the word biophilia you can look at the first part that is bio, the prefix bio meaning life. The word life referring to the world natural environment. When looking at the stem word philia, it comes from the Greek that means the love between friends(Orr, P. 199). After breaking down the word biophilia and understanding the true meaning i was able to understand the quote and how it relates to the subject matter. In order to be associated with biophilia there needs to be passion behind the love towards the environment and the desire to sustain it. we need to have that true genuineness towards living things.
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The manifestation of biophobia,explicit in the urge to control nature, has led to a world in which it is becoming easier to be biophobic. (Orr, p.190)
We as a society tend to want to control our lives as much as possible. This also includes the nature around us. Rather then living in nature we prefer to destroy it and control certain parts of the area in which we would like the nature to be in. For example New York, here we find a city full of buildings and pavement with minimum amount of natural plant throughout. An example of a way that they have control nature is by having only certain areas with plants and more natural things such as central park. We as human have managed to condense the earths natural state all into this one park surrounded by man made buildings and sidewalks. Growing up in an environment like this we are more prone to be biophobic rather than being able to
appreciate nature.
Central park in New York. Photos by getyourguide.com
Geographer Yi-Fu-Tuan (1974) described this bonding "topophilia, " which includes "all of the human being's affective ties with the material environment." (Orr, p.194)
This is a very strong word to use to explain as to how people acquire their interests in life. By using the word topophilia it is explaining how our geographic location can very much so impact our interest in nature. I personally can relate to this based off of friends that I have known. Knowing people from various urban areas such as the city of Chicago, New York, and other areas which are large cities. These individuals have never been exposed to environments that are more nature friendly and require more time outdoors. The idea behind this is that the lack of exposure has caused these people to have interest in nature. As this same idea may apply to many other people. The places where we grow as a society really impacts the type of lifestyle which we choose to live.
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