The Noetic Propaedeutic Pedagogy as a Panacea to Environmental Degradation

Abstract

The phrase, ‘sustainable development’ has in recent times become a household phrase, thanks to the works and agitations of the environmental philosophers, scientists, animal right activists and other concerned bodies and groups. However, in spite of these campaigns, environmental degradation still goes on apace. This shows that the popularity of the phrase ‘sustainable development’ has remained only in theory and has not been translated to actions. The researchers believe that the problem of environmental degradation persists because of the divisive and polarising mindset with which man operates with. The moment this divisive mindset is converted to egalitarian one, humans would begin to see the environment as an important aspect of their life, without which their existence would be negated. An egalitarian mindset sees other beings as missing links sharing the same complementary framework of existence. Because they share the same framework, negation of the other becomes negation of the self. Negation of the environment is negation of the self. This kind of mindset according to Asouzu, could be attained through the process of noetic propaedeutic pedagogy. This is a kind of education of the mind that is geared towards converting the mind from its divisiveness to egalitarianism. This work is therefore, aimed at showcasng the noetic propaedeutic pedagogy as a profitable way to tackling the environmental crisis.