“There is only a single life in all living things” : medieval ecological contemplation in John of Hildesheim’s Speculum fontis vitae

Abstract

The theme of ecological contemplation sounds very appealing to our modern ears, given the steady rise of an ever greater and ever more urgent ecological awareness not just within the realms of economics, politics, and science, but also within the realms of philosophy, theology, and spirituality. With the case of humanity’s lasting impact on the environment nearing a dangerous precipice, a point of no return we are told, becoming ecologically conscious is no longer a matter of alternative off-the-grid lifestyles accessible only to the few, but truly a responsibility to be shouldered by each human individual for the good of all creation. Indeed, Pope Francis has called for an ecological conversion, which makes any argument for ecological sustainability not just a matter of economics or political powers but, perhaps more importantly, a matter of the soul. The act of returning to simplicity, natural rhythms, integrity, and spirituality is, hence, the ecological path forward that this paper contemplates. In her study on ecological activism in the context of secular spirituality, Lois K. Daly speaks of two contrasting approaches when it comes to discussing humanity’s relationship with nature, namely, an anthropocentric one and a biocentric one. Anthropocentrism assumes that human beings are fundamentally different from all other creatures, they can choose their own goals and learn to do what it takes to achieve them. On the other hand, biocentrism calls into attention the interdependencies among all forms of life. It sees the living planet as something to be cherished for its intrinsic value, not for its utility. In this case, humans are seen as a part of nature and not set apart from it. Whereas Daly sees these two approaches as radically opposed to each other, the Christian ecological sensibility does not. Proof of this comes not only from recent papal pronouncements and other official texts that are published by the Holy See but also – and this is the real contribution of this paper – from ancient ecological texts. [excerpt]