Routledge Gaia, Psyche and Deep Ecology: Navigating Climate Change in the Anthropocene

Winner of the Scientific & Medical Network Book Prize 2019! In Gaia, Psyche and Deep Ecology: Navigating Climate Change in the Anthropocene, Andrew Fellows uniquely connects Earth systems, Jungian and philosophical approaches to the existential threats that we face today. He elucidates the psychological basis of our dysfunctional relationship with nature, thereby offering a coherent framework for transforming this in our personal and professional lives. Demonstrating the imperative for new ideas that transcend the status quo, Fellows tackles unprecedented 21st century challenges such as climate change through his interdisciplinary approach. Fellows proposes a worldview, informed by depth psychology, which radically contradicts the prevailing shibboleths of unlimited economic growth, dominion over outer nature and negation of our inner nature. To accommodate a broad readership, he first introduces the Anthropocene and sufficient basics of systems dynamics, Gaia theory and analytical psychology before exploring the mind-matter conundrum. He then correlates the structure, dynamics, contents and pathology of Gaia and of psyche, critiques the Western Zeitgeist as midlife crisis and establishes parallels between deep ecology and psychological individuation. This ground-breaking synthesis of Gaia theory, analytical psychology and deep ecology reveals synergies which show how we can, and why we must, relinquish anthropocentrism in order to survive sustainably as equals in and with the natural world. Combining Jungian theory with other cutting-edge disciplines to inform, inspire and heal, this book is essential reading not only for Jungian analysts, students and scholars, but for all―including professionals in Earth systems science, environmental philosophy and ecopsychology―who realise that ‘business as usual’ is no longer an option. Review "If we want to understand the causes of our present crisis and our disastrous alienation from nature, both within and without, we could learn much from this brilliantly perceptive and comprehensive book. Connecting a profound understanding of Jung’s concept of Individuation with the Deep Ecology of Arne Næss, Fellows demolishes the dangerous concept of ‘limitless growth’ and shows how we need urgently to abandon our hubristic and exploitive will to power over planetary life. Truly, a clarion call to us all!" - Anne Baring Ph.D., author of The Dream of the Cosmos: A Quest for the Soul "Andrew Fellows is passionate about the urgent need to address the damage we are doing to our planet. His combined professional background in both applied science and depth psychology offers an all too rare perspective that is in the best traditions of Jungian thought - erudite, multi-disciplinary and concerned with the most profound and pressing problems of our time. His book makes valuable food for thought and I share his hope that it will make even better fuel for action. It deserves to be widely read." - Warren Colman, Jungian psychoanalyst; former editor of Journal of Analytical Psychology; author of Act and Image: The Emergence of Symbolic Imagination "This book written by heart and head, reminds us that 'we may not be able to save what we do not love.' A fine scientific mind gathers fact and technical theory to plead this love’s cause. Analogies (between psyche’s individuation process and Earth’s Gaia theory) are compelling. The "uncanny" parallel between ego’s domination of the western psyche and civilization’s domination of the planet challenges our inertia, nostalgia and hubris, responses Fellows identifies as leaving us traumatized by the task of halting imminent ecological disaster. Fruit of years of scientific and psychological commitment, this new approach excites reverence for the 'panorama of stratified living beings'." - Rev. Josephine Evetts-Secker, Assoc. Prof. Emerita, University of Calgary, CA; Jungian Analyst; author of At Home in the Language of the Soul "We all