OECUMENE Meaning and
Definition
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Oecumene, sometimes spelled as "ecumene," is a term with its roots in ancient Greek and is used to describe the inhabited or populated world. It refers to the portion of the Earth's surface that is permanently settled and developed by human beings. The concept of oecumene typically excludes vast areas of the Earth, such as large bodies of water, deserts, extremely cold regions like the polar regions, and areas with high altitudes that are unsuitable for human habitation.
The term is often used in geography and cultural anthropology to differentiate between the areas that are habitable and those that are not. It focuses on the human impact on the environment and the processes of human settlement and development. Oecumene is not limited to cities or urban areas but encompasses all forms of human settlement, including rural communities, towns, and villages.
Oecumene also carries a connotation of permanence, referring to areas where human activity has left a lasting impact on the landscape, indicating a level of transformation and alteration of the environment. It highlights the ongoing relationship between humans and their surroundings.
In broader terms, oecumene can be seen as the collective expression of human civilization and culture. It represents the network of social, economic, and political systems that have been established over time, shaping the world in which we live.
Etymology of OECUMENE
The word "oecumene" (also spelled "ecumene" or "oikumene") has its origin in ancient Greek. It comes from the Greek word "oikoumenē" (οἰκουμένη), which means "the inhabited world" or "the inhabited land". The term was used in ancient times to refer to the known or civilized world, as opposed to unexplored or uninhabited territories. The Greek word itself is derived from the verb "oikein", meaning "to inhabit" or "to dwell".
