Actually, he was a bit bothered by this question.
Could doing this manual labor deepen his understanding of the wilderness?
No.
Could it bring him closer to wild animals?
No.
He studies wilderness ethics to further understand the behaviors and habits of wild animals and to enhance his chances of survival.
He wants to get closer to wild animals.
Human societal development cannot bring him closer to wild animals; in fact, it will widen the gap between them.
Ma Lin felt that his mind was stuck in a dead end.
He hoped that as soon as he stepped out, he could integrate into the wilderness, understand what the wild animals were doing, and survive easily instead of being filled with fear for the wilderness.
Morality makes one's heart feel at ease. The theory of wilderness ethics is meant to give him this sense of ease.