RAS question
The concept of 'Deep Ecology' was propounded by:
Correct answer: (B) Arne Naess.
The concept of Deep Ecology was propounded by Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess.
Explanation
Arne Naess is the right answer because Britannica identifies Deep Ecology as an environmental philosophy and social movement whose phrase originated with the Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess. The idea goes beyond ordinary conservation by asking humans to radically change their relationship with nature: nature is not valuable only because it serves human needs, but has inherent value. This matches the standard exam explanation that Naess coined the term and argued for a fundamental shift in how human beings relate to the natural world. Deep Ecology is therefore tied to Naess's philosophical critique of human-centred environmental thinking, not merely to pollution control or resource management.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Aldo Leopold is associated here with the Land Ethic, not with propounding the concept of Deep Ecology.
- (C) Garrett Hardin is linked here to the tragedy of the commons, which concerns shared-resource overuse rather than the origin of Deep Ecology.
- (D) Rachel Carson is linked here to warnings about pesticide dangers, not to coining or propounding Deep Ecology.
Concept
This tests environmental ethics within Environment and Ecology, especially the difference between human-centred and ecocentric views of nature. It recurs in RAS because such thinkers and concepts help frame questions on conservation philosophy and sustainable development.