Northern Arizona University/Environmental Ethics/Journals/Emily's Journal

Jounal 1

The Land Ethic

Leopold discusses the extension of ethics in "The Land Ethic," and describes an ethic, in philosophical terms, as a thing that has its origin in the tendency of interdependent individuals or groups to evolve models of co-operation. If the complexity of ethics has increased over time, does that mean that ethics evolve over time in a way similar to the way biological organisms evolve? It seems to me that as cultures and societies become more complex, so too do their ethics. If one were to look at a culture or civilization as a living organism, that society could be seen to be experiencing evolution. As new technologies emerge, a society's culture will evolve to incorporate new modes of subsistence. Language will evolve and change over time as well. In our society, our ethics need to further evolve so that we see the biotic community as interdependent to individuals and society while society develops a feeling of obligation towards the land. Just as we feel obligated to give something back to those who have given us something, so too should we feel towards the land.

Journal 2

When I read Leopold I am reminded of how I spent most of this past summer, and that involved being outside.. I was fortunate enough to have a job that involved being outside all day. I worked as an archaeological surveyor, looking for the cultural remnants of the first people who lived on the Colorado Plateau. Walking up to ten miles a day through the Kaibab Forest allowed me to fully experience the environment I live in. I came to recognize the various features of the land. It was a privilege to be able to trek through places very few people have been and to see the forest from the inside. Walking through a patch of old growth trees was perhaps the most tranquil moment of my summer. In other places the trees grew strange and twisted but still perfect in their deformities. Hiking up to a high point and looking down upon the land I had just transversed and being able to see the different land forms with a sense of great connection is something I will not forget nor stop experiencing for the rest of my life.

Journal 3

Living in Arizona has greatly influenced my life thus far. Having moved here from the midwest, the diverse and beautiful landscape of this state has lead to the development of my great appreciation for nature. Reading Leopold's essays on Arizona and Sonora brings back pleasant and fond memories. Reading about bobcats, coyotes and mesquite gives me a warm feeling, after having lived in the Sonoran desert for several years. I was especiallly intrigued by his quest for "el tigre." It is common knowledge that virtually all the jaguars of Sonora and Arizona are extinct. I remember last when Macho B was euthanized. It was such a terrible shame that his death was the result of incompetant land managers. There is perhaps a very small chance that jaguars still exist in the wilderness of Arizona. I have my suspicions that there could be. I once camped at Perkinsville Bridge for a night. We arrived late, and by the time we had caught some catfish and prepared it it was dark. After eating, we heard strange noises on the other side of the water. It sounded like something heavy had gone into the water. Then, we heard large twigs cracking, like they were underfoot something heavy. Perhaps the smell of blood from the catfish had attracted it. to our sheer terror, whatever the thing was let out the most otherworldly shriek ever heard. It sounded like a shrieking human at first, but then rose into a banshee-like wail, then ended in a gutteral growl. We heard it splashing in and out of the water and kept shining our lights over to where we thought it might be, but we saw nothing. We heard the creature begin to wander downstream, shrieking all the while until it was out of earshot. We never could figure out exactly what it was. We immediately ruled out bigfoot, and it probably wasn't a rarely seen inhabitant of perkinsville. The only other conclusion we came to was that it was probably a big cat, like a mountain lion, or maybe even a jaguar.

Journal 4

While reading John Muir's "The Trees of the Valley" it is easy to understand his reverence for these mighty works of nature. He describes each tree: the yellow pine, the incense cedar, the Douglass Spruce. the Oaks, the Juniper, the Poplar, and others. His descriptions are both scientific and naturalistic. He gives the scientific names for many of the species he describes, yet the language he uses while doing so paints a perfect picture of the beauty of the tree itself. It is easy to see how much Muir loves the land.He describes the trees with a kind of intimacy, telling their various attributes. He is able to inform the reader of how to identify each tree and at the same time inspire the reader to want to go out and experience each tree.

Journal 5

In Thoreau's chapter "Economy<" he discusses the modes by which men participate in society to make ends meet and suggests an alternative for the normal way of doing things. When he writes "When we consider what, to use the words of the catechism, is the chief end of man,Note and what are the true necessaries and means of life, it appears as if men had deliberately chosen the common mode of living because they preferred it to any other. Yet they honestly think there is no choice left." The words of the catechism would say that man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.It appears Thoreau would not have used this answer, but he might suggest that men lack joy in their lives. People are limited by the number of choices they believe they have in this life, when in fact the possibilities are endless. I think Thoreau is suggesting that each day is the opportunity for a fresh start and that it is never too late to let go of prejudices. While their is wisdom to be had from the past experiences of those who came before, tradition need not be followed strictly for the sake of tradition.Accepting ideas just because they are traditional and old will probably come to no good end.

Journal 6

In Thoreau's chapter on solitude it is apparent that he connects with nature with his body and his mind. Sound and touch are just as important to him as sight. Because of his keen senses, he is able to notice when visitors have stopped by by the broken blade of grass or the lingering smell of pipesmoke.

While Thoreau enjoys a solitary existence, he is by no means cut off from human contact. In fact, he often would walk into town for the services he could get there but not do for himself. His aloness is his own choice. He does not feel the need to contantly be around other people, and in his solitude he sees nature as a companion. His sense of knowing the land he lives on allows for him to connect to all of nature.

Journal 7

As Thoreau discusses his precious bean field, he wonders why he even made the effort to grow them. His attempt to alter a small patch of land from what it would be without human touch was a learning experience as well as a small gain of personal satisfaction. Thoreau greatly values wildness, content to sit and watch nature's displays. Now he has chosen to farm and control nature, albeit he finds worthy components in weeds and woodchucks. It seems like he has often spoke negatively of farmers and their desire to make money off of nature, yet now he is becoming one of them to make a living so he can live by the pond. It seems he has made a sort of trade-off in this way. However, Thoreau does realize that others feel that the only crop with value is the crop that benefits man, all others may as well be weeds. But Thoreau recognizes the value of wildness for other than monetary means.

Journal 8

In his essay “Self-Reliance,” Emerson begins with a quote in Latin, N”e te quaesiveris extra” which translates in English to "Do not seek outside yourself.” It is apparent that Emerson values individual experience as being greater than any knowledge gained from books. He states: "To believe that what is true in your private heart is true for all men — that is genius." The message Emerson is conveying in this essay is for individuals to follow their own intuitions rather than basing their lives on the opinions of others. To live ones life with conviction while being true to oneself is the only way to live. In doing so, the individual will find acceptance in others with similar convictions and ideas. Emerson emphasizes for the individual to “trust thyself.” It is of no use to be affected by the judgements of others. The person who exhibits self-esteem without seeming selfish will come across as both childlike and mature. Emerson would have us live our lives as if on a quest with the curiosity and assurance of a child. Children represent self-reliant behavior because they are too young to understand cynacism or hypocrisy, so these qualities are not part of their lives. Emerson makes the analogy between young boys and the idealized individual. Both apply their own personal standards to everything they see. There is no question of where their loyalties lie. In contrast, most adults live their lives with caution, being preoccupied with their reputations and approval from others. Living in such a way removes spontaneity a genuine quality of life.

Journal 9

When Emerson writes "Our age is retrospective. It builds the sepulchres Note of the fathers. It writes biographies, histories, and criticism. The foregoing generations beheld God and nature face to face; we, through their eyes" in his essay Nature, he is stressing the idea that second-hand ideas and knowledge through books is overly elaborated upon in society.He advises his readers to reject "dead" letters and turn towards nature. Though it is apparent in Emerson's writings that he greatly values the written word and draws from past texts. Emerson values the study of nature and its design. In doing this, one will become closer to the divine and learn more about themselves than they ever could from any books.

Journal 10

In the essay "Circles," Emerson often eludes to the eye, "the first circle; the horizon which it forms is the second; and throughout nature this primary figure is repeated without end. It is the highest emblem in the cipher of the world." The circle is never-ending noe does it have a beginning. It could be compared to the divine, and Emerson makes note of humans' interest in circles throughout history. Emerson writes, "There are no fixtures in nature" amd "Permanance is just a word of degrees." This means that all life is transitory, nothing is permanent, everything is temporal. This means that man's potential is limitless. Setting limitations on individuals or on yourself is a waste when you are living in a transitory state. Emerson stresses that life is a series of surprises. The growth of the soul is undefinable. One should live his or her life like one who is very old and very young at the same time, carrying ancient truths but making them anew and unto themselves.