Reflections, Analysis, and Significance for Human Ecology of Pope Francis’s Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home

Abstract

Pope Francis’s significant and timely environmental encyclical is reviewed, analyzed, and reflected upon from a human ecology perspective. The analysis includes comparison with various ecological, philosophical, sociological, ethical, theological, and economic schools of thought. His powerful and influential prose and poetry are sampled and savored with respect to their potential impact on solutions for our current grave existential global environmental crisis. His call for an ecological spiritual awakening is interpreted from both religious and secular points of view. Historical relationships between Catholicism and environmental thought are explored. Application to the field of human ecology is considered. Show more