What is it?
Ecological intelligence is not the same as eco-literacy, or biomimicry. Neither is it good environmental policy, or smart, sustainable, sexy landscaping.
Ecological Intelligence encompasses all of these fine and noble notions but it is categorically different.
As far as I know, I coined the term Ecological Intelligence. In any case, I define it as follows:
- Ecological Intelligence is the relational creativity of nature as expressed through human thought and action.
Ecology is the science of relationships in nature. Ecological Intelligence is therefore synonymous with the creativity of relationships in nature. Human consciousness is on a continuum of nature and can therefore express it. This becomes obvious and inescapable to anyone who actually has ecological intelligence.
Oika & Ecological Intelligence
When a human consciousness becomes aware of Ecological Intelligence operating within itself, I call this Oika.
Oika is a term derived from the Greek word for home, Oikos (which is also the root of the prefix “eco” as in ecology and economy). Oika highlights those instances when Ecological intelligence expresses itself through human consciousness. This makes perfect sense when you see human thought as emerging in continuity with nature’s relational creativity.
Oika is Ecological Intelligence applied in the human dimension called culture.
Why this matters?
Look at human history. The optimist sees the accomplishment, the beauty, the creativity, and the diversity. The pessimist sees the cruelty, the suffering, the inequality, the greed and the death of human and nonhumans who get in the way. Both of these are views are accurate. The question is, where do we go from here?
I believe we can (must) create a better future starting today. I believe we can reclaim and develop the best human virtues by better understanding how we got here. I believe we can redeem the horrible mistakes of the past by maturing into the future. I believe in Ecological Intelligence. I believe nature knows the way and culture can (must) create it.
I believe the future is beautiful, or there isn't one. Thats why.
EI is visible in the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation as the “primordial ecology of light”