Denken met de rivier: De milieufilosofie van Tanaka Shōzō

Thinking with the River: The Environmental Philosophy of Tanaka Shōzō This article explores the environmental philosophy of Tanaka Shōzō, a pioneering Japanese environmentalist during the Meiji era (1868-1912). Tanaka’s response to the ecological and social devastation caused by the Ashio copper mine offers a unique perspective on the relationship between humanity, nature, and technology. His philosophy, especially his ideas on nagare (flow) and doku (poison) emphasizes the interconnectedness of ecological and social systems. I argue that it can offer an alternative to dualistic approaches to nature and is a fruitful addition to contemporary environmental ethics and biotechnology. Specifically, I suggest that Tanaka’s emphasis on an intimate understanding of and collaborative engagement with natural systems can inspire a more reflective and sustainable approach to science and biotech.