We can get a collective sense of humility by acknowledging the complexity of nature of which the best human ingenuity is a but a poor imitation, and by acknowledging the vastness of the universe and the comparatively very short tenure of humankind within earth’s life history.
All that clashes no way with reason and science, be it fields of particule physics, chemistry, astronomy…etc.
Somewhere along the way humans sought social cohesion thru orientations that emphasize obedience and belief at the expense of inquiry.
It’s been polarizing in that authoritarian, obscurantist theology is met with the arrogance of ‘scientism’ and techno-triumphalism, despite humankind’s narcissistic flirtation of ecocide.
A ‘spirituality’ where our humility is genuine amid the grandeur of nature makes more sense than either extreme of ‘scientism’ or religious dogmatism, imo.
The ecological crisis challenges the received wisdom regarding technological progress or advancement, though of course, it doesn’t completely discard it.
…and that’s why it seems that no existing political ideology suits the socio-ecological predicament.
Arguably, ‘eco-socialism’ or ‘eco-Marxism’ are useful frames for the political economy, and ‘eco-feminism’ is useful for the cultural aspects.
Some ‘radical’ theorists and grassroots organizers think that way, but the bridge between their efforts and electoral politics and institutional policies is a long, flimsy bridge, so to speak.
In that sense, political movements require types of ‘spirituality.’
The ecological crisis may, hopefully, spur nontheological orientations that enable better human innovation in response to our challenges.
Malcolm X used Islam, MLK Christianity, Gandhi Hinduism…etc.
Their extraordinary achievements nonetheless indicate the flaws of theologically based political organizing.
At the same time, current social movements show the need for a ‘spiritual’ framing of the issues, and show how leftist ideology by itself does not suffice.
Thru ‘spirituality’ an individual, a group, an institution, or a social movement can engage in constructive self-criticism instead of being self-righteous
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