Environmental Ethics: Theory in Practice

by Ronald Sandler

Overview

An accessible yet rigorous introduction to the field, Environmental Ethics: Theory in Practice helps students develop the analytical skills to effectively identify and evaluate the social and ethical dimensions of environmental issues. Covering a wide variety of theories and critical perspectives, author Ronald Sandler considers their strengths and weaknesses, emphasizes their practical importance, and grounds the discussions in a multitude of both classic and contemporary cases and examples.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199340729
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	06/01/2017
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Ronald Sandler is Professor of Philosophy, Chair of the Philosophy and Religion Department, and Director of the Ethics Institute at Northeastern University. He is the author of Food Ethics: The Basics (2014), The Ethics of Species (2012), and Character and Environment (2007); the editor of Ethics and Emerging Technologies (2013); and the coeditor of Environmental Justice and Environmentalism (2007) and Environmental Virtue Ethics (2005).

Table of Contents

, List of Boxes, List of Tables, Figures, and Images, List of Abbreviations, Preface, AcknowledgmentsPART I. DOING ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICSChapter 1. What Is Environmental Ethics?1.1 What Are Environmental Issues? 1.2 Why Environmental Ethics? 1.3 Three Bases for Environmental Ethics1.4 The Radicalness of Environmental Ethics1.5 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingChapter 2. Methods of Environmental Ethics2.1 Description, Explanation, Predication, and Prescription2.2 Environmental Ethics and Environmental Science2.3 Justification in Ethics: The Philosophical Method and Evaluating Arguments2.4 Skepticism about Ethics2.5 God and Ethics2.6 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingPART II. NATURE AND NATURALNESSChapter Three. The Normativity of Nature3.1 What Is Nature? 3.2 Is Nature Normative?, 3.2.1 Is it Wrong to Interfere with Nature?, 3.2.2 Should We Follow Nature?, 3.2.3 Is a Behavior Wrong if It Is Unnatural?3.3 Evolution and Prescription3.4 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingChapter Four. Natural Value4.1 Instrumental Value4.2 Final Value (or Intrinsic Value)4.3 Economic Valuation and Environmental Values4.4 Is Naturalness Valuable? 4.5 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingPART 3. MORAL CONSIDERABILITY: WHICH INDIVIDUALS MATTER?Chapter Five. Anthropocentrism, Ratiocentrism, and Indirect Duties5.1 Moral Status Terminology5.2 Arguments for Anthropocentrism5.3 Ratiocentrism5.4 Actual Preference Anthropocentrism5.5 Technological Optimism5.6 Indirect Duties Views5.7 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingChapter Six. Enlightened Anthropocentrism: Efficiency, Sustainability, and Future Generations6.1 The Elements of Unwise Resource Use, 6.1.1 Inefficient Use, 6.1.2 Underutilization, 6.1.3 Short-Term Use, 6.1.4 Exclusive Use, 6.1.5 Narrow Use6.2 Ideal Preference Anthropocentrism6.3 The Problem of Future Generations6.4 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingChapter Seven. Nonanthropocentric Individualism: The Moral Considerability of Plants and Animals7.1 Arguments for Sentientism7.2 Responses to the Arguments for Sentientism7.3 Do Plants Have Interests? 7.4 Should We Care about the Interests of Plants? 7.5 Pluralism7.6 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingPART IV. NORMATIVE THEORIES: HOW DO THINGS MATTER?Chapter Eight. Consequentialist Environmental Ethics: Animal Welfare and Utilitarianism8.1 Distinguishing Normative Theories8.2 Utilitarianism8.3 Identifying and Weighing Interests8.4 Secondary Principles and Indirect Consequentialism8.5 Concerns about Utilitarian Environmental Ethics8.6 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingChapter Nine. Deontological Environmental Ethics: Respect for Nature, Animal Rights, and Environmental Rights9.1 The Motivations for Deontology9.2 Respect for Nature9.3 Animal Rights9.4 Human Rights and the Environment9.5 Concerns about Deontological Environmental Ethics9.6 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingChapter Ten. Character Ethics: Virtue, Vice, and the Environment10.1 What Are Environmental Virtues and Vices? 10.2 Character and Environmental Ethics10.3 Environmental Virtue Ethics10.4 Concerns Regarding Environmental Virtue Ethics10.5 Evaluating Ethical Theories10.6 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingPART V. HOLISTIC ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICSChapter Eleven. Ecocentrism11.1 The Argument for the Land Ethic11.2 Implications of the Land Ethic11.3 Moral Development and Outdoor Recreation11.4 Concerns Regarding Ecocentrism, 11.4.1 Problematic Implications: Ecofascism and Misanthropy, 11.4.2 Conceptual Clarity: Defining Ecosystems and Ecological Integrity, 11.4.3 Misapplication of Moral Concepts11.5 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingChapter Twelve. Deep Ecology12.1 Principles of Deep Ecology12.2 Metaphysical Holism and Self-Realization12.3 The "Deep" in Deep Ecology12.4 Concerns Regarding Deep Ecology12.5 Spiritual Experience and Environmental Ethics12.6 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingChapter Thirteen. Species and Biodiversity13.1 What Are Species and Biodiversity? 13.2 The Instrumental Value of Species and Biodiversity13.3 The Final Value of Species, 13.3.1 The Natural Historical Value of Species, 13.3.2 Do Species Have Inherent Worth?13.4 Is There a Duty to Preserve Species? 13.5 Climate Change and the Conservation Dilemma13.6 Novel Species Conservation Strategies13.7 Intervention or Restraint? 13.8 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingPART VI. SOCIAL JUSTICE AND THE ENVIRONMENTChapter Fourteen. Ecofeminism and Environmental Pragmatism14.1 Ecofeminism: Background and Context14.2 The Logic of Domination and the Ethics of Care14.3 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives14.4 The Motivation for Pragmatism14.5 Themes of Environmental Pragmatism14.6 Practical Efficacy in Environmental Ethics14.7 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingChapter Fifteen. Environmental Justice15.1 Unequal Exposure and Environmental Injustice15.2 Environmental Justice and Cost-Benefit Analysis15.3 Addressing Environmental Injustice15.4 The Ethical Dimensions of Consumption15.5 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingChapter Sixteen. Global Justice: Population, Poverty, and the Environment16.1 The Extent and Sources of Malnutrition16.2 The Lifeboat Ethic16.3 Feeding People and Saving Nature16.4 An Obligation to Assist? 16.5 How Much to Assist? 16.6 Summary, Key Terms, Questions, and Further ReadingPART VII. FINAL THOUGHTSChapter Seventeen. The Anthropocene and Environmental Ethics17.1 Are We in the Anthropocene? 17.2 Why This Definition and This Name? 17.3 Environmental Ethics with or without the "Anthropocene"17.4 Conclusion, Key Terms, Questions, and Further Reading, References, Glossary, Index

Editorial Reviews

"Environmental Ethics is a really splendid introduction. It is clear and accessible, yet rigorous and engaging. Sandler's text provides excellent overviews, telling examples, and stimulating opinions. It is a gift to students, instructors, and to the field at large."—Steve Gardiner, University of Washington

"Environmental Ethics combines careful theoretical explanation of concepts like environmental justice and rights with lively and illuminating practical case studies. Sandler discusses pressing environmental issues, from climate change to animal agriculture, with his hallmark clarity, theoretical depth, knowledge of the field, and approachable style. This book is an invaluable introduction to environmental ethics."—Clare Palmer, Texas A&M University

"Ron Sandler is one of the most important voices in environmental philosophy today. His work always balances stunning originality with amazing analytic clarity. While serving the needs of an introductory textbook, this volume is his most thorough and comprehensive effort to date."—Paul Thompson, Michigan State University

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