The Natural and the Artefactual: The Implications of Deep Science and Deep Technology for Environmental Philosophy

by Keekok Lee

Overview

In this book, philosopher Keekok Lee challenges one of the central assumptions of contemporary environmentalism: that if we could reduce or eliminate pollution we could 'save' the planet without unduly disrupting our modern, industrialized societies. Lee argues instead that the process of modernization, with its attendant emphasis on technological innovation, has fundamentally transformed 'nature' into just another manmade 'artefact.' Ultimately, what needs to be determined is if nature has value above and beyond human considerations, whether aesthetic, spiritual, or biological. This provocative book attempts to reconfigure environmental ethics, positing the existence of two separate ontological categories—the 'natural' and the 'artefactual.' Natural entities, be they organisms or inert matter, are 'morally considerable' because they possess the ontological value of independence, whereas artefacts are created by humans expressly to serve their own interests and ends.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739100615
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/10/1999
Pages:	300
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Keekok Lee is Reader in Philosophy at the University of Manchester, where she was also Director of the Centre for Philosophy and the Environment.

Editorial Reviews

Lee has undoubtedly contributed to the ongoing philosophical discussion about the relation between the axiological and the ontological status of nature.

Environmental Values

Philosophically wide-ranging and scholarly, this book maintains that environmental philosophy must begin with ontology rather than axiology and expand its concerns to include abiotic nature....Interesting for its attempt to keep humans and the nonhuman connected while acknowledging differences.

Choice Reviews

This is an impressive book... there is much of value here.

Environmental Ethics

Philosophically wide-ranging and scholarly, this book maintains that environmental philosophy must begin with ontology rather than axiology and expand its concerns to include abiotic nature....Interesting for its attempt to keep humans and the nonhuman connected while acknowledging differences.

Choice

Lee has undoubtedly contributed to the ongoing philosophical discussion about the relation between the axiological and the ontological status of nature.--Environmental Values

This is an impressive book... there is much of value here.--Environmental Ethics

Philosophically wide-ranging and scholarly, this book maintains that environmental philosophy must begin with ontology rather than axiology and expand its concerns to include abiotic nature....Interesting for its attempt to keep humans and the nonhuman connected while acknowledging differences.--CHOICE

From the Publisher

Philosophically wide-ranging and scholarly, this book maintains that environmental philosophy must begin with ontology rather than axiology and expand its concerns to include abiotic nature....Interesting for its attempt to keep humans and the nonhuman connected while acknowledging differences.

CHOICE

Independent philosopher Lee (recently of the U. of Manchester) attends to the deeper implications of ecologically insensitive technology beyond its polluting effects. Contrasting modern with premodern worldviews provides the context for exploring how new sciences like biotechnology require an expanded environmental ethos encompassing both the biotic and the abiotic. The author considers misconceived the notions of nature as either a work of art or a mere social construct per some postmodern thinking. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews