ANTI-INTELLECTUAL
by
Antonio C. Antonio
July
21, 2014
Over-extraction
and utilization of natural resources are considered to be the main causes of
environmental degradation. Although environmental
abuse can be measured by the tonnage of minerals extracted or the number of
trees felled, there are causes of environmental degradation that also cannot be
measured and quantified. They are
intangible (meaning: incapable of being perceived by touch, not definite or
clear to the mind) such as:
1. Greed
– Described as the inordinate desire to possess wealth and material possessions
of abstract value with the intention to sustain oneself far beyond the dictates
of basic survival and comfort. There are
also those who have a high degree of desire for status and power which leads
them to be greedy. The Philippine
political system does a lot in contributing to and encouraging people to
embrace greed as a way of life.
2. Apathy
– Defined as the lack or absence of feeling, emotion, interest or concern from
people. An apathetic person has an
absence of interest in or concern about the emotional, social, spiritual,
philosophical and physical life of the people around him... and also the
physical elements (the world in general and the environment in particular). Most people prefer not to get involved and
stay away from contemptuous issues such as the environment simply because it is
more convenient.
3. Lack
of Knowledge and Awareness – Ignorance and naiveté are two of the most
destructive characters of man and, because of this, it becomes hard for him to
understand negative environmental implications.
It is openly said that sometimes people don’t realize the wrongs they do
and cause simply because they do not know or (at the very least) aware that
they are doing wrong.
The
first thing that people in the business of abusing the environment and natural
resources would not want to see happen is an increase in the level of awareness
and knowledge on environmental issues and concerns. An informed populace and citizenry will only
further expose their nefarious practices.
They would rather that people remain ignorant and unaware of
environmental issues and concerns. Don’t
you think they are anti-intellectual?
Just
my little thoughts…
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