s 1,2

ecosophy

Living in Harmony with Wilderness

October 31, 1994

Q: To protect the habitat and existence of species which require large areas of wilderness, should it be Proutist policy to reclaim presently occupied lands that are occupied by humans and return them to wilderness? In general, what portion of the land should remain wilderness?

I disagree with this point of view that wilderness areas must be taken and set aside from human habitation. You know, in some areas, people have very large populations. But you must consider: will it ever be that the human population is so overly large? A day may come when the number of human beings on this planet is far less. And a day may come when human beings and all natural species will live together in harmony. When in a natural fashion, there will be great tracks of land that return to wilderness. No one will dispossess anyone. Only care should be taken that a new approach evolve -- one in which there is a neohumanistic tendency, and all life is respected and promoted.

You will see, side by side, the lion and the lamb may live. Side by side, human beings may live with the wild creatures, with the great forests, and with all the inhabitants of this world. A day may come when the oceans are filled with life and the forests are great. And next to the human dwelling is a tree fifteen feet in span, great and tall. Human beings will live, not in a separate society, but melded in with all the other creatures of this world. I do not mean that humans will be primitive, but perhaps their technology will become more sophisticated, and this lifestyle will naturally evolve.

It is a transition period that the human race is presently in. Should this period be fully and safely maneuvered, then the capacity to live in harmony with other species and to have technologies which do not interfere with the natural development of living beings will become more and more possible. This is so that human beings may live a very nice life living all over the globe, and the other life that is developing on this planet may benefit from the presence of human beings.

It may be done, so there is no need to say, "Human beings should not live here, should not live there because they will interfere with the other species." I say, teach the human beings to live in a proper way and develop the proper attitude and continue on the road of technological development to a more subtle and sophisticated level, and this problem will be automatically resolved.