Whole Earth Thinking and Planetary Coexistence: Ecological wisdom at the intersection of religion, ecology, and philosophy

by Sam Mickey

Overview

Like never before in history, humans are becoming increasingly interconnected with one another and with the other inhabitants and habitats of Earth. There are numerous signs of planetary interrelations, from social media and international trade to genetic engineering and global climate change. The scientific study of interrelations between organisms and environments, Ecology, is uniquely capable of addressing the complex challenges that characterize our era of planetary coexistence.

Whole Earth Thinking and Planetary Coexistence focuses on newly emerging approaches to ecology that cross the disciplinary boundaries of sciences and humanities with the aim of responding to the challenges facing the current era of planetary interconnectedness. It introduces concepts that draw out a creative contrast between religious and secular approaches to the integration of sciences and humanities, with religious approaches represented by the "geologian" Thomas Berry and the whole Earth thinking of Stephanie Kaza and Gary Snyder, and the more secular approaches represented by the "geophilosophy" of poststructuralist theorists Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari.

This book will introduce concepts engaging with the ecological challenges of planetary coexistence to students and professionals in fields of environmental studies, philosophy and religious studies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138888548
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/21/2015
Series:	Routledge Environmental Humanities
Pages:	164
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Sam Mickey is an adjunct professor in the Theology and Religious Studies Department at the University of San Francisco, USA.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. Ecology: A Household Word 3. A Geologian Meets Geophilosophers 4. Integrating Environments, Societies, and Subjects 5. Roots of Ecological Wisdom 6. Reinventing the Human 7. Emerging Earth Community 8. Cosmic Connections 9. Narrative Imagination, Dangerous Dreams 10. Energy 11. Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

"Sam Mickey has produced an insightful study of the intersection of religion, ecology, and philosophy. Drawing on such seminal thinkers as Thomas Berry, Gilles Deleuze, and Félix Guattari, the author weaves an engaging narrative of a way toward Whole Earth thinking." –Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim, Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale University, USA

"Philosophically precise, ethically capacious, and accessibly written, Whole Earth Thinking and Planetary Coexistence is a wonderful addition to discourses on religion, philosophy, and ecology. Sam Mickey's careful and generous depictions of geophilosophy (informed by Deleuze and Guattari) and earth community (informed by Thomas Berry and others) serve as helpful guides to some of the vexing environmental issues facing different parts of the planet in the present day. His treatments of various religious and philosophical traditions demonstrate the vitality of multiple ways of human knowing and relating in an era of ecological change. Both erudite and accessible, this text is a wonderful guide for students and will also serve as a useful resource for interdisciplinary scholars of environmental philosophy and religion and ecology." –Christiana Z. Peppard, Fordham University, USA

From the Publisher