Shallow ecology is anthropocentric, or human-centered. It views humans as above or outside of nature, and as the source of all value, and ascribes only instrumental, or “use,” value to nature.

Deep ecology does not separate humans—or anything else—from the natural environment. It sees the world not as a collection of isolated objects but as a network of phenomena that are fundamentally interconnected and interdependent. Deep ecology recognizes the intrinsic value of all living beings and views humans as just one particular strand in the web of life.

Ultimately, deep ecological awareness is spiritual awareness. When the concept of the human spirit is understood as the mode of consciousness in which the individual feels a sense of belonging, of connectedness, to Cosmos as a whole, it becomes clear that ecological awareness is spiritual in its deepest essence.

If we have the deep ecological experience of being part of the web of life, then we will (as opposed to should) be inclined to care for all of living nature. Indeed, we can scarcely refrain from responding in this way.

Fritjof Capra & Pier Luigi Luisi, Systems View Of Life

Care flows naturally if the “self” is widened and deepened so that protection of free Nature is felt and conceived as protection of ourselves.

Just as we need no morals to make us breathe, so if your “self” in the wide sense embraces another being you need no moral exhortation to show care. You care for yourself without feeling any moral pressure to do it.

Arne Næss