Biophilia is an innate affinity of life or living systems. The term was first used by Erich Fromm to describe a psychological orientation of being attracted to all that is alive and vital. Wilson uses the term in a related sense when he suggests that biophilia describes “the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life.”
He proposed the possibility that the deep affiliations humans have with other life forms and nature as a whole are rooted in our biology. Both positive and negative (including phobic) affiliations toward natural objects (species, phenomenon) as compared to artificial objects are evidence for biophilia.
Although named by Fromm, the concept of biophilia has been proposed and defined many times over. Aristotle was one of many to put forward a concept that could be summarized as “love of life”. Diving into the term philia, or friendship, Aristotle evokes the idea of reciprocity and how friendships are beneficial to both parties in more than just one way, but especially in the way of happiness.
The hypothesis has since been developed as part of theories of evolutionary psychology. Taking on an evolutionary perspective people are drawn towards life and nature can be explained in part due to our evolutionary history of residing in natural environments, only recently in our history have we shifted towards an urbanized lifestyle.
These connections to nature can still be seen in people today as people gravitate towards, identify with, and desire to connect with nature.[6] These connections are not limited to any one component part of nature, in general people show connections to a wide range of natural things including plants, animals, and environmental landscapes.
One possible explanation is that our ancestors who had stronger connections to nature would hold an evolutionary advantage over less connected people as they would have better knowledge and therefore access to food, water, and shelter. In a broader and more general sense research has suggested that our modern urban environments are not suited for minds that evolved in natural environments.
Human preferences toward things in nature, while refined through experience and culture, are hypothetically the product of biological evolution. For example, adult mammals (especially humans) are generally attracted to baby mammal faces and find them appealing across species. The large eyes and small features of any young mammal face are far more appealing than those of the mature adults.
Similarly, the hypothesis helps explain why ordinary people care for and sometimes risk their lives to save domestic and wild animals, and keep plants and flowers in and around their homes. In the book Children and Nature: Psychological, Sociocultural, and Evolutionary Investigations edited by Peter Kahn and Stephen Kellert, the importance of animals, especially those with which a child can develop a nurturing relationship, is emphasized particularly for early and middle childhood.
For many Indigenous cultures, the relationship between humans and nature is inseparable. Notably, these cultures view humans as an integral part of the natural world rather than separate to it.[13] Their practices, and ways of life reflect respect for the symbiotic relationship between all living beings and the environment. At the heart of many Indigenous belief systems is the concept of kinship.
This concept extends beyond human relationships and includes elements of the natural world. This perspective recognizes that nature is sacredness. It also recognises that humans, plants, animals, and the land all depend on each other for their survival. For example, the Haudenosaunee people express this through the Thanksgiving Address. In this ceremony, they honor all aspects of Creation.
Indigenous cultures possess Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) about the relationships between living beings and environments. This enables them to sustainablly use their resource. For example, Aboriginal Australians’ fire practices have shaped biodiversity for millennia. In addition, the human-nature connection can be found in many Indigenous spiritual beliefs and practices. These beliefs generally viewing nature as sacred, with specific sites, species, or phenomena holding deep significance.
In Hawaii, aloha ‘aina guides responsible resource use. Notably, Indigenous cultures have always emphasized reciprocity and balance. This involves not only taking from but also giving back through sustainable practices, rituals, and ceremonies. For instance, the Anishinaabe have always made offerings before harvesting manoomin (wild rice). Despite diversity, many Indigenous cultures view humans as integral to nature rather than dominating over it. This challenges Western views prioritizing exploitation.
Incorporating these perspectives reflects different understandings of the human-nature relationship. They also show that Indigenous knowledge have been an invaluable contributions to sustainability.Because of our technological advancements and more time spent inside buildings and cars disconnects us from nature, biophilic activities and time spent in nature may be strengthening our connections as humans to nature, so people continue to have strong urges to reconnect with nature.
The concern for a lack of connection with the rest of nature outside of us, is that a stronger disregard for other plants, animals and less appealing wild areas could lead to further ecosystem degradation and species loss. Therefore, reestablishing a connection with nature has become more important in the field of conservation.
Examples would be more available green spaces in and around cities, more classes that revolve around nature and implementing smart design for greener cities that integrate ecosystems into them such as biophilic cities. These cities can also become part of wildlife corridors to help with migrational and territorial needs of other animals.
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