DEEP AND DARK ECOLOGY: PARADIGMS OF CONTEMPORARY ECOLOGICAL THOUGHT

Abstract

The article offers a comparative analysis of two paradigms of contemporary ecological thought: Arne Naess’s deep ecology and Timothy Morton’s dark ecology. It explores the main points of convergence and divergence between these approaches through their philosophical premises, concepts of nature, declared aims, and the concrete strategies they suggest for addressing ecological challenges. The study relies on theoretical, comparative, contextual, and critical methods, paying particular attention to Naess’s idea of “self-realization” and Morton’s notion of “hyperobjects.” A special focus is placed on how these concepts challenge anthropocentric perspectives, reconsider the position of the human being in ecological systems, and propose different interpretations of ecological crisis. Deep ecology is interpreted as a normatively and practically oriented perspective based on biocentrism, ecological equality, and recognition of the intrinsic value of all forms of life. Dark ecology, in turn, is characterized as a more critical and ambivalent current that underscores uncertainty, entanglement, and the unsettling dimension of nature. The article evaluates the strengths and limitations of both frameworks and outlines possible ways of combining their insights for reflection on the global ecological crisis. This makes clear their joint contribution to contemporary ecological philosophical debates.