New concept in environmental conservation: Ecological ego; [Çevreyi korumada yeni bir kavram: Ekolojik ego]
Abstract
The relation of human being with man and nature is built by ego. Ecological ego is critical element in relations between man and nature, while healthy ego with good character is more important in human relations. Ecological ego is thestabile state of ego which gives mentally, emotionally and behaviourly no harm to nature, but also respectful to all creatures. Environmental problems are mainly derived from ill-relations of ego and environment. Understanding the ecology of ego is important as much as the understanding of nature ecology since self survival based attitudes and behaviours of ego affects primarily environmental health. The research data from environmental sciences makes little contribution to environmental conservation, since the primary research objective in environmental sciences are not targeted to controlling of human passions and behaviours damaging to nature. The degree of ecological awareness and consciousness are dependent on the awareness of ego. It is quite difficult to solve environmental problems unless understanding of ecology of ego and building up ecological ego states. If functions of ego regulating internally thinking, emotion and behaviour could be controlled by ethical values of ecopsychology (not to give harm, to be respectful, to make contribution to nature), then it would be possible to control and manage the attitudes and behaviours harmful to environment.