Contemporary Ecotheology in the Post-normal Times: Synergy of Religious Doctrine and Moral Philosophy from the Perspective of Ziauddin Sardar
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15575/hanifiya.v9i2.59767Keywords:
caliphate of the caliphate, ecological crisis, ecotheology, moral philosophy, post-normal timesAbstract
The global ecological crisis in the Postnormal Times (PNT) era presents multidimensional challenges that cannot be resolved solely through technocratic, economic, and public policy approaches. Climate change, environmental degradation, the exploitation of natural resources, and future uncertainty underscore the need for a moral and spiritual reorientation in how we build human relations with nature. This study explores the synergy between religious doctrine and moral philosophy through the lens of Ziauddin Sardar's contemporary ecotheology, with the aim of formulating environmental ethics relevant to the complexities of the postnormal era. This study uses a qualitative approach and a library-based method. Data were obtained from Ziauddin Sardar's primary works, Islamic ecotheological literature, and various recent studies on the ecological crisis, environmental ethics, and futuristic thinking. Data analysis was conducted using content and critical discourse analyses to identify ideas, values, and ethical constructions related to the relationship among humans, religion, and the environment. The results of the study indicate that the synergy between the doctrine of the Caliphate and Sardar's futuristic moral philosophy can yield a comprehensive, reflective, and adaptive framework for environmental ethics. The concept of humans as caliphs is understood not solely as a legitimation of environmental management but as a moral mandate that demands responsibility, justice, balance, and ecological sustainability. Meanwhile, Sardar's thoughts on the future provide a critical perspective on the uncertainty, complexity, and long-term consequences of human actions. This synergy has the potential to transform passive theological discourse into proactive socio-religious action in response to the ecological chaos of the post-normal era. The implications of this research emphasize the importance of institutionalizing a holistic ecotheological paradigm in education, religious institutions, public policy, and social spaces to strengthen ecological justice and ensure the sustainability of civilization across generations.
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