Theodore Roszak : Towards an Eco-Psychology (excerpt) -- Thinking Allowed DVD w/ Jeffrey Mishlove

NOTE: This is an excerpt from the full 90-minute DVD.
http://www.thinkingallowed.com/2troszak.html

Modern psychoanalysis and existential therapy view human beings as essentially creatures of alienation in a hostile universe. Roszak suggests that a psychology that fails to examine ecological relationships is incomplete. He points to the anthropic principle in cosmology as providing a central place for human beings in the universe. The Gaia hypothesis in systems theory evokes lyrical poetry in suggesting that the planet itself may be viewed as a conscious, self-regulating being.

Roszak proposes that in our psychological depths we are deeply connected with nature. He suggests that a greater balance in our relationship with nature will naturally accompany healthier relationships between the genders and greater individual psychological health.

The lateTheodore Roszak, Ph.D., was professor of history at California State University, Hayward. He was author of numerous books including Where The Wasteland Ends, The Making of A Counterculture, Person Planet, The Cult of Information and The Voice of The Earth.

Theodore Roszak passed away on July 5, 2011.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Theodore Roszak
• Thinking Allowed
• ecology
• eco-psychology

[wvdpanhuysen]

With some delay, The Washington Post, Los AngelesTimes, The New York Times, the Huffington Post and Mercury News, amongst other media, wrote articles in response to Theodore Roszak's death. He had liver cancer.

[wvdpanhuysen]

I did not find one word about Theodore Roszak's death in the online versions of Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and The New York Times. I hope the paper versions of these newspapers have written something about him. Only on sfgate.com you can find a good tribute article written by cultural archaeologist Thomas Gladysz when you search on the internet for "Theodore Roszak (1933-2011). In Europe the news about his passing away came through his french publisher "éditions Le Cherche-Midi"(Paris).

[wvdpanhuysen]

Rest in peace, mister Roszak. I will never forget you through your brilliant writings expressing such a profound wide view on human consciousness, society and the planet. We have lost a genius thinker ...

[iktomom]

There is absolutely opportunity in eco-psychology, look at what I am doing as a for instance, earthinkco.htmlplanet, the point is, it's not about the money, it's about the results for the community, but there will always be a need for people's productivity relative to the concepts Dr. Roszak is talking about.

[zooland12]

Ah, the serene poetry of sanity.

[rshadix86]

I had never considered mankind's alienation from the environment from which it evolved as symptomatic of some kind of madness, but now that I think about it, it makes so much sense.

[djgenfish]

Roszak is a genius.  ... and so well spoken and wise.

[ccartnet]

Our only hope is to get on board with the insanity and show how protecting our environment can make everyone allot of money or help them lose weight. "Get Rich Quick! Protect the Environment Today!" or maybe "I Lost Over Forty Pounds! Protecting the Environment!"

[plutowool]

Yes... Let's tap into our innate Earth Wisdom--"Brother Sun, Sister Moon"-- with a positive and affirming eco-psychology--& Mother Nature as the base-line of sanity... Perhaps it's time to get off the eco-guilt trip... the old overwhelming, apocalyptic sermonizing-- and onto this project of becoming "whole-Earth-minded".... It is emerging even now-- a new emerging awakening. THANX for this post. Roszak's Voice of the Earth is a brilliant primer.