VIRTUAL New Schools of Thought

Abstract

This article outlines ethical components involved in ecological attention. It argues that ecological attention can challenge narrowly self-oriented and anthropocentric modes of perception, as well as create a better awareness of the situated and relational nature of observation. Both aspects connect to highlight the potential of ecological attention as a means of deepening and enriching relationships with more-than-human others and thus generating more effective forms of ecological response and responsibility. To ground the theoretical analysis, the article concludes with an analysis of sit-spots as an example of ecological attention in practice, and highlights ways in which sit-spots can be tailored as a personal and pedagogical resource in a manner that acknowledges attentiveness as a reciprocal rather than unidirectional activity.