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Historical Ecospirituality and Environmental Attitudes

Author

Listed:
  • Paul C. Behler

    (University of Bonn)

  • Paulina Schröder

    (Rockwool Foundation Berlin & Humboldt University of Berlin)

Abstract

This paper studies ecospirituality - spiritual views that people have about the natural world. First, utilizing folklore data from around 1,000 pre-industrial societies, we present the first comprehensive global measurement of ecospirituality. Our analysis reveals systematic cultural variation: ecospirituality is most prevalent in South America and least prevalent in Europe. Additionally, we find a strong negative correlation between ecospirituality and belief in high gods. Second, we study the potential impact of historical ecospirituality on current environmental attitudes. Combining data from the Integrated Values Survey with folklore, we find no statistically significant relationship between contemporary environmental attitudes and the prevalence of ecospirituality in the folklore of ones ancestors.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul C. Behler & Paulina Schröder, 2025. "Historical Ecospirituality and Environmental Attitudes," ECONtribute Discussion Papers Series 377, University of Bonn and University of Cologne, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:ajk:ajkdps:377
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    File URL: https://www.econtribute.de/RePEc/ajk/ajkdps/ECONtribute_377_2025.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2025
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General
    • Z12 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Religion
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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