Formation of ecological consciousness of applicants for higher education in today's realities: a theoretical aspect

Abstract

The article considers theoretical approaches to the ecological consciousness formation in the Ukrainian realities of today. The purpose of the article is to investigate the peculiarities of the formation of ecological consciousness of applicants for higher education in today's realities. The following methods were used in the research process: analysis, comparison, generalization and systematization. The historical facts of the consequences of consumer attitude to natural resources are given. It has been found that the current ecological crisis in the world is deteriorating, and this is especially noticeable in Ukraine, as evidenced by specific facts. It was found that one of the important tasks for overcoming the ecological crisis is the formation of ecological consciousness. To do this, it is necessary to radically change the worldview paradigm from anthropocentric to nature-centric, to turn to the centuries-old experience of harmonious nature management of the Ukrainian people. The theory of fairness of exchange is considered, which is interpreted as the possibility of each generation to be included in a positive diachronic exchange: the help that the younger generation receives after birth (because the child is born completely powerless and highly helpless) and in adulthood, later it "returns" through helping the elderly, which have entered the third generation phase. Also an important concept in shaping the attitude to the natural environment is the idea of corrective justice, which aims to perceive nature as a common property of mankind, belonging to each generation, and within the generation to each individual equally. It was found that if the collective ecological consciousness of most members of Ukrainian society is at a sufficient level, the individual still needs significant changes, so the formation of ecological consciousness is the most important task of natural education and environmental education, which should begin in the first years of life. It is proved that the role of teachers is extremely important for the formation of ecological consciousness of future generations, starting from educators of preschool education institutions and ending with teachers of higher education institutions, especially pedagogical ones.