The Value Of All Life: Learning About Biocentrism

For centuries, western ethics have held to an anthropocentric view of life. This means that human beings living in the present time are the only form of life that deserve moral consideration. As recent years have seen the advent of environmental concerns, human population growth, and resource depletion, more people have started to explore another point of view called biocentrism. 

What is biocentrism?

Biocentrism is an ethical viewpoint that holds that all life on earth is worth moral consideration. This includes future generations of human beings, animals, plants, and even entire ecosystems. While some religions have long held to certain aspects of biocentrism (Buddhists, and some Indigenous tribes believe in the sacredness of all living things, for example), the late 20th century has borne witness to the rise and systemization of this concept on a broader scale. 

Many preservationists and animal rights activists will argue the intrinsic value of living things, some to the point of seeking legal standing similar to that given to humans for trees and animals. After all, the natural world is a holistic environment, with a delicate balance of everything from the largest plant structures to the smallest microorganisms playing a role in ecosystems. Even though animals may not think like us, animal sense perceptions explore the world in ways we may not understand. 

Biocentrism even has a role to play in larger spaces. Quantum theory has posited through a biocentric universe theory that the concepts of time, space, and the cosmos spring from life itself. In other words, if external physical objects are not perceived, do they exist? Is perception the matrix of the universe, or does the universe exist outside of what we observe? Do physical events occur independent of observation? These questions have been on the minds of philosophers for years, and are still being explored today. 

Some principles of biocentrism ethics include:

• Sacredness of life, with no distinction between high or low, rich or poor.
• Maintaining life is good, destroying or obstructing life is bad.
• The lives of plants and animals are as important as our own lives.
• The building of a civilized universe through ethical behavior to all things. 

How biocentric principles have affected the world stage

Biocentrism was and continues to be a factor in fueling preservationist, animal rights, and ecological movements. Before the latter half of the twentieth century, ethics were more centered on the morality and ascendency of man, with only nominal thought given to other living things. Progress without borders was the norm, with scientific advances that did not address potential harm toward the environment, animals, or even future generations of humans. Biocentrism and its sister movement, environmental ethics, have shifted the paradigm of how many perceive the world. 

Biocentric ethics influence human rights, too. Because biocentrism sees moral value in all living things, human life too is viewed as inherently valuable. The “do no harm” principle of biocentrism fuels anti-racism campaigns, initiatives to relieve poverty, and the promotion of equality across all markers. 

Pros and Cons of Biocentrism

There are obvious benefits to having a view of the world that sees value in all life. Adherents to biocentrism may be more active in any number of efforts to address environmental issues, fight for animal welfare, or campaign for human rights. Reverence for life often goes hand in hand with positive traits like empathy, kindness, and a sense of justice. 

However, moral considerations can make biocentrism difficult to adhere to. Because of the very nature of biocentric thought (we are all connected, and all forms of life deserve moral consideration), it’s virtually impossible to refrain from harming any form of life. Therefore, there are a number of moral dilemmas that plague the practice of biocentrism in its purest form. Even the strictest vegan must eat something—but aren’t plants included as intrinsically valuable too? What about insects and microbes? Is it ethical for human beings to benefit if bacteria must die? These kinds of questions can make for interesting conversations, but may often be less than helpful in a practical sense. 

Therapy for learning empathy and balance

In the same way that biocentrism may be considered more practical and beneficial with some level of nuance, human psychology can benefit from a balance between empathy and self-interest. Too much self-interest can be detrimental to relationships and self-growth, while too much empathy may lead to emotional burn-out. Therapy can help you strike a balance that may help you to manage relationships and stress in a healthy way. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (or CBT) in particular is an effective and common form of talk therapy that focuses on shifting patterns of thought and behavior into healthier channels. CBT is used to treat mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, or simply to learn better stress management habits. 

Accessibility to mental health has improved over the past decade through the growth of telehealth services. Geographical areas previously unreached by mental health services can now access these services online. People who have either physical or mental difficulty in attending in-person sessions can now attend therapy over video chat, and online therapy can be more cost effective for those who don’t have insurance coverage. Studies show that online therapy can be just as effective as traditional therapy, and with online therapy platforms like BetterHelp, you can reap the benefits of CBT from the comfort of your own home or office. 

Takeaway

Biocentrism is an ethical stance that is responsible for a number of beneficial movements and offers a view that values all life. Justice, equality, and protection of life can be positive principles, but difficult to enforce in the purest form across the board. As in most aspects of life, balance can be helpful to practice a moral yet pragmatic form of this ethical worldview.