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About this book
This introduction to the philosophy of the environment examines current debates on how we should think about the natural world and our place within it. The subject is examined from a determinedly analytic philosophical perspective, focusing on questions of value, but taking in attendant issues in epistemology and metaphysics as well. The book begins by considering the nature, extent and origin of the environmental problems with which we need to be concerned. Chapters go on to consider familiar strategies for dealing with environmental problems, and then consider what sort of things are of direct moral concern, examining in turn at animals, non-sentient life-forms, natural but non-living things and deep ecology. The final part of the book investigates notions of value, natural beauty and the place of human beings in the scheme of things.
Contents
Introduction 1. Problems 2. Causes 3. Solutions I: Voting and Pricing 4. Solutions II: Moral Theory 5. Animals 6. Life 7. Rivers, Species, Land 8. Deep Ecology 9. Value 10. Beauty 11. Human Beings Afterword Appendices Notes Bibliography Index
Customer Reviews
Biography
Christopher Belshaw is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy and Staff Tutor with the Open University.
By: Christopher Belshaw
322 pages, no illustrations
A detailed, interesting and rigorous account of environmental ethics which is simultaneously readable, philosophically precise and informed by a particular and well argued point of view.
- Environmental Politics
"One of the best books on environmental ethics I've ever read. A level-headed and rigorous discussion. Persuasive and engagingly written."
- David Schmidtz, University of Arizona
"A solid and serious piece of work, thorough and fair. A good strong text."
- Michael Ruse, Florida State University