Coeternity

Coeternity is a philosophical concept that refers to the idea that all things, including humans, animals, and the natural world, have equal value and worth. It is derived from the Latin words "co" meaning "together" and "aeternus" meaning "eternal." The concept of coeternity challenges the traditional hierarchical view of the world, where humans are often placed at the top of the food chain, and suggests that all living beings are interconnected and interdependent.

The idea of coeternity has been explored in various philosophical, religious, and ecological contexts. In philosophy, it is often associated with the works of thinkers such as Immanuel Kant and Arthur Schopenhauer, who argued for the inherent worth of all beings. In religious traditions, coeternity is reflected in the idea of the divine immanence, where the divine is present in all things. In ecology, coeternity is reflected in the concept of the Gaia hypothesis, which posits that the Earth is a single, self-regulating system.

Proponents of coeternity argue that it promotes a more compassionate and sustainable worldview. By recognizing the inherent worth of all beings, it encourages actions that prioritize the well-being of the natural world and all its inhabitants. However, critics of coeternity argue that it can lead to a relativistic view of morality, where the suffering of one being is considered equal to the suffering of another, regardless of their species or role in the ecosystem.