However, if a forest or a fisheries ecologist drops by our Natural Systems Center here at The Land and is interested in looking to nature's systems for sustainable forest or fish production, we will insist on a seminar from such an expert as readily as the person working in the area of Natural Systems Agriculture. The ecosystem is the conceptual tool common to all of us interested in producing food and fiber in a sustainable way. The Land Institute wants to help make the 20th century be the last century in which scientific and technological efforts for the good life are predicated on the assumption that nature must be subdued or ignored. Let's hope it also leaves behind the notion that our knowledge is adequate to run the world. Since we are basically ignorant, by embracing an ignorance-based world view we go with our long suit.
Religions have humility in their code of ethics.
Most secularists have no code which mandates humility. Embracing ignorance unites the secularist with the seriously religious. Knowing that we are ignorant is our best shot toward achieving humility. Maybe it is because they are already wiser and their imaginations are less narrowed.