Lynn Townsend White Jr
Lynn Townsend White Jr. was an influential American historian, particularly known for his work in the history of medieval technology and his analysis of the relationship between religion and environmental issues. He served as a professor at prestigious institutions including Princeton, Stanford, and UCLA, and authored the seminal book *Medieval Technology and Social Change*, which laid the groundwork for the field of medieval technology historiography. White's most notable contribution to environmental discourse is his 1966 lecture, later published as "The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis," where he posited that Western Christianity's teachings have contributed to environmental degradation by promoting a view of nature as merely a resource for human use. This perspective sparked discussions and movements within environmentalism, such as ecotheology, advocating for a more harmonious relationship with the natural world. Although his thesis prompted contention, particularly regarding its perceived critique of Christianity, White's intent was not to denounce the faith but to encourage a reconsideration of its doctrines. He holds particular reverence for Saint Francis of Assisi, advocating for his vision of nature's intrinsic value. White's ideas continue to be debated among historians, theologians, and environmentalists, highlighting his lasting impact on the discourse surrounding ecology and religion.
Subject Terms
Lynn Townsend White Jr.
IDENTIFICATION: American historian and author
White argued that religion—medieval Christianity, in particular—played a significant role in the environmental crisis that was becoming apparent during the late 1960’. His controversial thesis was influential in spawning several movements in environmentalism, including ecotheology.
Lynn Townsend White, Jr., was a professor of history at Princeton and Stanford universities and at the University of California, Los Angeles. A graduate of Stanford, Union Theological Seminary, and Harvard University, he also served as president of Mills College and was a founding member of the Society for the History of Technology.
As a historian, White specialized in the history of medieval technology. His major work, Medieval Technology and Social Change, published in 1962, defined the field of medieval technology historiography. The book details several seemingly small changes in agriculture and animal husbandry—the stirrup, the plow, and crop rotation, for example—that profoundly influenced European culture and land use.
In regard to environmental issues, White is best remembered for his seminal 1966 lecture “The Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis,” which was published in 1967 in the journal Science. In this work, White argues that is directly related to human beings’ beliefs about themselves and about the world. According to White, Western Christianity promotes the belief that nature exists only to serve humanity, and this idea leads to the ruthless exploitation of nature.
The article has frequently been taken as an attack on Christianity, but White, a lifelong Presbyterian, did not intend to attack Christianity as a whole; he simply sought to urge a reexamination of Christianity’s doctrine of nature. Against the hierarchical view that humanity should dominate nature, White’s essay proposes Saint Francis of Assisi as the “patron saint for ecologists” because Francis’s theology regards all natural things as having been made for the glory of their creator and therefore as intrinsically valuable.
White’s thesis has been controversial, and it is not universally accepted by historians, theologians, or ecologists. Nevertheless, its importance and its influence—especially on religious movements such as ecotheology—are broadly recognized.
Nelson, Michael Paul. Lynn White, Jr. 1907-1987. Routledge, 2017.
Spencer, Andrew J. "The Lynn White Thesis and American Christianity." Ethics & Culture, 28 Mar. 2022, www.ethicsandculture.com/blog/2022/the-lynn-white-thesis-and-american-christianity. Accessed 24 July 2024.
White Jr., Lynn Townsend. Medieval Technology and Social Change. Oxford University Press, 1962.