Nature Relatedness as an Orientation in Moral Psychology

Abstract

<p>In this article, we theoretically explore the role of biophilia for morality, challenging and expanding recent moral psychological models that struggle to account for this relationship. We conceptualize the psychological trait of Nature Relatedness as a comprehensive biophilic orientation or <em>mode of being</em> that enables individuals to integrate nature into their identity and informs their interactions with both natural and social environments. By synthesizing theories of Erich Fromm and Arne Næss with recent research, we claim that biophilic orientation involves not only the transition from a <em>narrow</em> to an <em>ecological</em> self, but also encompasses worldviews, values, and experiences. We develop the idea that dispositional aspects of biophilia and affective-experiential levels of morality interact: Biophilic disposition is both driven by and drives self-transcendent experiences and affect-laden engagements that foster self-other overlap, possibly expanding one’s moral concern. We connect these ideas to moral psychological research on moral intuitions and identity, particularly by discussing Nature Relatedness in relation to Jonathan Haidt’s Moral Foundations Theory. One’s subjective relationship and identification with the natural world appear central to moral expansion. Besides extending concern to non-human individuals, parochial, group-cohesion-related moral emotions might be re-channeled. These <em>binding foundations</em> appear generally resistant to moral expansion, yet the biophilic drive to integrate and unite may broaden one’s identification beyond human ingroups. Thus, we propose that Nature Relatedness may expand moral intuitions across foundations, outlining what a non-anthropocentric application of moral foundations and biocentric intuitions might look like. Implications, including prospective interventions, and the need for further research, are discussed.<br></p>