Arne Næss died yesterday, 96 years old. He was a Norwegian philosopher and mountaineer, and most known internationally as one of the founders of deep ecology.
He is easily among the five people who have influenced me the most, and I was fortunate enough to see him speak several times, and also be in personal communication with him a few years back.
His philosophy reflected and flowed from his life.
And that philosophy was unusually and brilliantly clear. Always practical. Profoundly life centered. And as himself, innocent and child-like in its playfulness – especially in his later years.
Update: Arne Næss, Norwegian Philosopher, Dies at 96 from NY Times.
Update 2: He was beloved by the Norwegian people, and received a state sponsored funeral attended by the prime minister and members of the royal family. There is something beautiful – and profoundly right – in that happening for a life-centered eco-philosopher….
🙂
Here is an excerpt from The Call of the Mountain, a documentary about Arne Næss.
and we were about to meet him in May 2009 🙁 . same thing happened when I wanted to meet Ferdinand Finne, Erik Bye and Thor Hereydahl. RIP, Arne.