The Nature and Perspectives of Environmental Ethics with an Emphasis on the Islamic View

The escalating severity of today’s environmental crises poses a serious threat to human and non-human life, prompting increased focus on the ethical foundations that shape human interaction with nature. Among these, environmental ethics has become central, with existing theories ranging from anthropocentric to ecocentric frameworks, each assigning different intrinsic values to nature. However, recent efforts to address these crises have turned toward religious and spiritual perspectives for deeper, more holistic solutions. This paper examines environmental ethics through two core questions: "Where does intrinsic value lie?" and "What defines ethical action?" It argues for a theocentric approach as a more comprehensive ethical framework for environmental protection. Drawing from Islamic anthropology, the study introduces the concept of "self-ecology," a spiritually grounded model of environmental ethics. Emphasizing the soul's spiritual nature, self-ecology encourages a balanced and respectful relationship with nature, rooted in self-awareness and inner preservation. This approach not only redefines the human-nature relationship but also presents an ethical path that integrates spiritual insight with environmental responsibility.