Author Type

Undergraduate Student

Date of Award

Summer 8-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Preprint

Submission Date

September 2026

College Granting Degree

Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

William O’Brien

Abstract

Anthropocentrism, the belief that humankind is central to existence and has priority over all other living beings and systems, is embedded in Western philosophy and motivates environmental degradation. The history of Florida provides some of the most egregious examples, compiled with instances of large-scale transformation and destruction for the sake of tourist, residential, commercial, and industrial developments. Florida’s rapid development and natural resource use in the twentieth century changed its unique landscape by using ruinous methods to reclaim land and synthesize a paradise for humans alone. The loss of over half of the Everglades—the unique wetland system with incredible biodiversity—is lamentable, but it has been seen largely as a victory, celebrating the anthropocentric influences that have shaped modern Florida. This study will examine the history of Florida’s development, its anthropocentric motivations, and how to profile and prevent it effectively.

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