Delineating Ecosophy as a Counter Discourse in Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behaviour

: Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver is a clarion call aimed at exposing the impending future that awaits humanity in the form of grievous climactic changes and its impact on the delicate ecosystem of the earth. The characters presented who maintain varying perspectives regarding ecological concerns may be seen as representing differing ideologies that persist in the society with respect to the same. The paper is an attempt to trace the dominant as well as alternate voices that pervade discussions on an apocalyptic future due to human actions that are ruthless and highly exploitative of ecological resources. The mystical encounter with nature that the protagonist undergoes will be examined to understand the significance of an ecological philosophy or “ecosophy.” The paper would also seek to discern a transition from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism and also the disruption of nature/culture binaries established by an anthropocentric worldview depicted in the text.


1.Introduction:
Apprehensions regarding an ecological apocalypse looms large over the world with efforts undertaken by environmentalists to eliminate the possibilities of such a scenario. When notions of human development and progress ensues from an anthropocentric stance which does not pay attention to ecological concerns, the repercussions are likely to be drastic. A knowledge system that acknowledges the inherent value of oikos (ecology), is deemed necessary to avert such impending dangers. In this context, the paper considers the notion of "ecosophy" or an "ecological philosophy" popularised by Arne Naess as a possible alternative that could replace the dominant discourses of the current era that privilege man over nature as presented in the novel Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver. It can be understood as positing various perspectives maintained by the characters that possess implications for an ecological and thereby human well-being. The paper intends to discern and examine these perspectives in detail within the purview of ecosophy.
Flight Behaviour depicts a scenario where "Monarch butterflies" who migrate to Mexico during winter changes their course to the Appalachians which is a highly unlikely choice as the latter can have freezing temperatures during winter that could kill the butterflies.
Connecting this drastic change in destination to changes in climactic patterns that confuse the weather pattern and the reception of the same by people in different sections of the society, specifically, the locals residing at Cleary, in the Appalachians, the scientists and the media who inhabit the universe of the novel. She seems to pit the concept of "ecosophy," as maintained by Dellarobia, the protagonist and Ovid Byron, the scientist who studies the "monarchs" against the dominant discourses of anthropocentrism and objectification of nature for monetary gains.
The latter is evident in the "myth" of climate change that Dr. Byron mentions and the sole focus on romantic aspects of a natural phenomenon than the reality as presented by Tina Ultner, a media representative, who covers a feature on the monarchs.

Ruminations on Ecosophy:
The concept of "ecosophy" is associated with the Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess, who coined the term in a 1972 lecture. It may be deemed as a philosophy that considers the relationship between man and nature and that which upholds interconnection of both through an expanded "self-realisation." Naess' considerations regarding ecological philosophy shows that according to him, "the fundamental norm of ecosophy T is "self-realization." But not in any narrow, individualistic sense" (59) where "ecosophy T" is Naess' version of ecological philosophy and "T" here refers to "Tvergastein, the arctic mountain hut Naess commissioned while still in his twenties, and where he has dwelt seasonally for almost seventy years" thus showing how "the man and the mountain have been on intimate terms" for years (Cocola par. 11). Examining the idea of "self-realization" in the context of Naess' observations it may be understood as that which accommodates and values other selves in its fold thus evincing an expansion of a single, isolated, individual "Self." Such a conception encourages the notions of interconnectedness thus enabling the humans to realise the role of non-human elements as imperative for their survival. Essentially, it points to the deconstruction of nature/culture binaries, eliciting a renewed form of the self that is inclusive rather than exclusive.
Naess' explanation of such an ecological wisdom which is founded "on the distinction (2) Richness and diversity of life forms contribute to the realization of these values and are also values in themselves.
(3) Humans have no right to reduce this richness and diversity except to satisfy vital needs.
…(5) Present human interference with the non-human world is excessive and the situation is rapidly worsening. (49-50) Such perceptions vividly point to an immediate transition to be envisaged from anthropocentrism to ecocentrism especially at the wake of "the troubling awareness that we have reached the age…when the consequences of human actions are damaging the planet's basic life support system" (Glotfelty xx). Kingsolver in Flight Behaviour presents the migration of the monarchs to the Appalachians as the signal of an impending disaster that can be averted only via the inculcation of a wisdom that instills a pro-ecological mindset.

Ecosophy in Flight Behaviour:
The novel commences with Dellarobia's encounter with the Monarch butterflies which may be deemed as a mystical encounter with nature that awakens in her a renewed sense of self. It begins with an exploration outside the confines of her house though she undertakes such a journey with another purpose. The physical journey takes the form of an inward journey as she experiences a blurred vision of "the forest blazed with its own internal flame… every bough glowed with an orange blaze" which had actually been the Monarch butterflies as she later realises, "the fire was alive, and incomprehensibly immense, an unbounded, uncountable congregation of flame-coloured insects" (Kingsolver 19,72). This experience which resembles Moses' encounter with God in the burning bush, becomes the juncture at which a near-mystical initiation is envisaged in her. The persona she embodies thereafter, largely exhibits ecological awareness and 'ecosophy' as she is able to comprehend the inherent worth of non-human lives and their significance in the larger scheme of things that ensure survival on earth.
Along the lines of Naess' conception of ecosophy which he deems to be "a "personal philosophy" that guides our conduct toward the environment," (Young and Smith) Dellarobia may be considered to be initiated into an ecological wisdom that triggers her to create a personal philosophy of her own which considers non-human lives to be at par with humans with respect to the former's behavior. During the act of sheep shearing her observation of the ewes encourages her to reflect on the composite yet intelligent nature of these animals, "watch and is imperative to return to that self which is capable of blending with the ultimate consciousness through a seamless integration with the spirit of the natural world. This seamless integration also echoes an 'organic synthesis' that explains the unity of all forms of the dialectic and will enable us to emphasis the interrelated characteristics of all elements constituting the totality" (Varadachari 9). It arises from "the idea of nature as a living organism which has philosophical antecedents in the ancient systems of thought" (Merchant 10). Dellarobia's epistemological systems of thought though not based on scientific reasonings, works on an intuitive level and showcases how sacredness associated with natural elements could prove to encourage conservation.
Dr. Ovid Byron a scientist who functions purely at scientific terms too maintains an ecosophical attitude in trying to fathom a reason for the change in the migratory course of the butterflies which he ultimately traces to variations in climactic patterns. In attempting to present solid proof to the scientific community and the world at large he aims to prove that climate change is a reality and not merely a myth as many would want it to be considered: "A continental ecosystem is breaking down. Most likely, this is due to climate change. Really I can tell you I'm sure of that. Climate change has disrupted this system" (Kingsolver 325,318).
In encouraging Dellarobia to join in the scientific pursuits he acknowledges the experience and traditional knowledge of the local population in the restoration of the pristine ecological order.
Through this action, he realises Vandana Shiva's words in Staying Alive, "it is not only as victims but also as leaders in creating new intellectual paradigms that women are central to Dr. Byron understands that it is imperative to tackle the issue at the grassroots level and is highly intolerant of the ignorance of a large population regarding the ecological crises that they are encountering across the globe. The serious repercussions that ensue from models of development that are highly aggressive and exploitative in effect lead to what Shiva terms 'maldevelopment' that creates an "ontology of dichotomisation" that "generates an ontology of domination, over nature and people. Epistemologically, it leads to reductionism and fragmentation" (40).
The tendency to overlook such drastic changes could have far-reaching implications including the total wipe out of humanity as Dellarobia realises, "Man against Nature. Of all the possible conflicts, that was the one that was hopeless. Even a slim education had taught her this much: Man loses" (Kingsolver 339). Even though, the less-educated Dellarobia is able to arrive at such a conclusion which clearly represents the ecological philosophy she has imbibed, Kingsolver presents yet another discourse that is seemingly endorsed by at least a good proportion of the scientific community and environmentalists regarding global warming and climate change and human contribution towards the same.  (Kingsolver 503). This sort of objectification has potential to divert attention from pressing ecological issues and Kingsolver reminds that it must be handled with caution.

4.Conclusion:
Kingsolver in Flight Behaviour not only presents the case for initiating an ecological wisdom but also derides the tendency to objectify nature. She rightly observes that ruthless human actions are currently posing a threat to the survival of all beings and there is a need to thwart it by acknowledging the diversity and richness of nature thus, exhorting the values promoted by deep ecological concerns. This attitude deviates from the ethos of anthropocentrism and discourages any attempt to romanticise nature for material consumption.
Dellarobia and Ovid Byron represented as figures vocalising the apprehensions regarding climate change and global warming become mouthpieces exhorting a serious intervention at local and global level. They take efforts and endeavour to create an awareness invariably due to an ecological wisdom or 'ecosophy' they have assimilated in their selves.