Ontology and Self-Realization in the Philosophy of Arne Naess

Abstract

This research investigates the philosophical paradigm of Arne Næss regarding ontology and self-realization. It proceeds from the fundamental hypothesis that the philosophical vision termed by Næss as "Ecosophy" constitutes the deep ontological structure of his ecological doctrine. The study explicates that Ecosophy transcends the status of a mere pragmatic environmental program; rather, it manifests as a comprehensive cosmological vision aimed at rearticulating the essence of human existence in its ontological entanglement with Nature. In doing so, it surpasses the superficial approaches of dominant environmental ideologies, striving instead to catalyze a conscious shift in the individual’s existential posture toward the world, thereby formulating a novel ontological perspective.

The research demonstrates that this vision is grounded upon two cardinal philosophical pillars that transcend the traditional subject-object dualism:

I. The Unity of Being (Biocentrism/Monism):

We elucidate Næss’s adoption of a monistic vision of the cosmos—deeply informed by Spinozian thought—wherein no "I" exists in isolation from the ontological web. Within this framework, Nature is not perceived as an aggregate of inert resources or material objects distinct from humanity; rather, it is apprehended as a Gestalt—an integrated structure of internal relations. Consequently, any rupture between the human and the natural world represents an essential fragmentation of the self from its authentic constituents of identity, thereby rendering alienation from Nature an existential alienation in the strictest sense.

II. Self-Realization:

This concept serves as the focal pivot of Næss’s philosophy. He redefines the "self" through the lens of the "Comprehensive/Universal Self," drawing upon the Vedantic (Hindu) concept of Atman. Self-realization, here, does not denote the hegemony of the individual ego at the expense of other entities; conversely, it signifies an "ontological opening" that incorporates the selves of others, diverse species, and ecosystems into the synthesis of the individual’s own essence. From this vantage point, altruism emerges not as a moral imposition, but as a natural act stemming from the individual’s recognition that any violation of the components of life is, intrinsically, a violation of one’s own "Greater Self."

The research concludes that Næss’s ontology and his philosophical vision of self-realization—as articulated in Ecosophy—constitute an ecological wisdom that transcends theoretical cognition to reach the level of practical insight (phronesis). It is a philosophy that seeks equilibrium by maximizing the diversity and complexity of life, deeply grounding the principle of "Cosmic Coexistence." In this manner, Næss situates philosophy within a new ethical horizon, linking the maturation of individual identity to one’s obligation toward the biosphere, thereby establishing the realization of the organic interdependence among all beings as an essential condition for authentic human existence.

Keywords: Ontology, Self-Realization, Arne Næss, Ecosophy, Environmental Philosophy.