Ecological crisis as a crisis of spirituality: A philosophical study of Seyyed Hossein Nasr's thoughts on the challenges of peat ecosystem management

Abstract

Background: The ongoing ecological crisis in Indonesia, especially the widespread degradation of peatland ecosystems in Riau, South Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua, reveals not only environmental and socio-economic problems but also a profound spiritual and philosophical crisis rooted in the desacralization of nature. This study reinterprets Seyyed Hossein Nasr’s concept of desacralization as a framework for understanding ecological degradation and developing sacred ethical principles for peatland restoration. Methods: Employing a qualitative philosophical approach, this study integrates textual analysis of Nasr’s works (Man and Nature; Religion and the Order of Nature) with empirical data from CIFOR, BRGM, NASA, and related agencies (2015–2024) on peatland fires, subsidence, and carbon emissions. Ecological findings are synthesized with Islamic ethical concepts to generate practical restoration principles. Findings: The results reveal that peatland degradation stems from the loss of metaphysical awareness of the sacred order of creation. Six sacred ethical principles: intrinsic value, participatory stewardship, hydrological harmony, distributive justice and transformative economy, epistemic integration, and transparent accountability form a holistic framework integrating technical, social, economic, and spiritual dimensions. Conclusion: The resacralization of nature, grounded in tawḥīd, amānah, and mīzān, offers a transformative paradigm for sustainable peatland governance and ecological ethics. Novelty/Originality of this article: This study uniquely integrates Islamic metaphysical ethics into the discourse on ecological restoration, offering an innovative eco-philosophical foundation and an actionable model for sustainable environmental governance in Indonesia.