Abstract

An Indian proverb says that “the man’s heart toughen as he drifts apart from nature”. Living in harmony with nature is only possible by abandoning of mankind from its idea of dominance on nature. Deep ecology refuses the superiority of human against nature with a radical attitude within ecological philosophy, and it wants the individuals and societies to respect the nature by specially valuing it. One of the main research subjects of the philosophy of science is the relation in between human and nature. The opinions regarding whether the human is a creature who is superior than nature, or whether it is an integral part of it are important in the formation of environmental values and attitudes. And in this study, the relation of individual and nature is being addressed, and it has been tried to examine whether the teacher candidates have an anthropocentric or ecocentric perspective. This study has been performed in order to determine whether teacher candidates adopt the anthropocentric paradigm or the ecocentric paradigm in their perspective against environmental problems. The research has been prepared by using quantitative research techniques by the participation of 426 teacher candidates. Five point likert type New Environmental Paradigm Scale consisting of 15 items has been used as data collection tool. The data obtained in the research has been analyzed by using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 22.0 program. According to the data obtained in the research, it has been observed that the genders of the teacher candidates have no effect on their anthropocentric or ecocentric approach to environmental issues. Moreover, the averages of the students were higher in questions measuring the ecocentric approach within the New Environmental Paradigm Scale. The interest and protective style of the family has positive results on the teacher candidates in respect of anthropocentric approach. Nevertheless it has no effect when the ecocentric approach is in subject.

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