The Ideal of Nature: Debates about Biotechnology and the Environment

by Gregory E. Kaebnick (Editor)

Overview

Going back at least to the writings of John Stuart Mill and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, people have argued for and against maintaining a state of nature. Is there an inherent virtue in leaving alone a naturally occurring condition, or does the human species thrive when we find ways to improve our circumstances? This volume probes whether “nature” and “the natural” are capable of guiding moral deliberations in policy making.

Drawing on philosophy, religion, and political science, this book examines three questions central to debates over the idea of “nature” in human action. Conceptually, it asks what the term means, how it should be considered, and if it is, even in part, a social construct. From a moral perspective, the contributors question if being “natural” is itself of value or if its worth is only as a means to advance other morally acceptable ends. Politically, essays discuss whether appeals to nature can and should affect public policy and, if so, whether they are moral trump cards or should instead be fitted alongside or weighed against other concerns.

Achieving consensus on these questions has proven elusive and seems unattainable. This should not, however, be an obstacle to moving the debate forward. By bringing together disparate approaches to addressing these concepts, The Ideal of Nature suggests the possibility of intermediate positions that move beyond the usual full-throated defense and blanket dismissal found in much of the debate. Scholars of bioethics, environmental philosophy, religious studies, sociology, public policy, and political theory will find much merit in this book’s lively discussion.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801898884
Publisher:	Johns Hopkins University Press
Publication date:	06/01/2011
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Gregory E. Kaebnick is the editor of Hastings Center Report, a publication of The Hastings Center, and a coeditor of two books, Reprogenetics: Law, Policy, and Ethical Issues and Genetic Ties and the Family: The Impact of Paternity Testing on Parents and Children, both published by Johns Hopkins.

Table of Contents

List of Contributors vii

Preface ix

1 Disposing Nature or Disposing of It?: Reflections on the Instruction of Nature Kate Soper 1

2 In Defense of Living Nature: Finding Common Ground in a Medieval Tradition Jean Porter 17

3 Nature as Absence: The Logic of Nature and Culture in Social Contract Theory Bruce Jennings 29

4 Human Nature without Theory Gregory E. Kaebnick 49

5 Preserving the Distinction between Nature and Artifact Eric Katz 71

6 Why "Nature" Has No Place in Environmental Philosophy Steven Vogel 84

7 The Appeal to Nature Bonnie Steinbock 989

8 Thinkihg Like a Mountain: Nature, Wilderness, and the Virtue of Humility Paul Lauritzen 114

9 The Did It on Hot Dogs and Beer: Natural Excellence in Human Athletic Achievement David Wasserman 130

10 Sport, Simulation, and EPO Nicholas Agar 149

11 Commonsense Morality and the Idea of Nature:What We Can Learn from Thinking about "Therapy" William A. Galston 168

12 Rawls, Sports, and Liberal Legitimacy Thomas H. Murray Peter Murray 179

Index 201

Editorial Reviews

Recommended.
—Choice

The Ideal of Nature is a thought-provoking look at the multifaceted topics of biotechnology and the environment through an array of lenses that leave the reader feeling grounded and inspired to explore greater depths of bioethics while avoiding the pitfalls of becoming immersed in extremes.
—Linda Ocasio, Metapsychology

From the Publisher

The Ideal of Nature is a thought-provoking look at the multifaceted topics of biotechnology and the environment through an array of lenses that leave the reader feeling grounded and inspired to explore greater depths of bioethics while avoiding the pitfalls of becoming immersed in extremes.

Metapsychology - Linda Ocasio

Recommended.

Choice

The Ideal of Nature is a thought-provoking look at the multifaceted topics of biotechnology and the environment through an array of lenses that leave the reader feeling grounded and inspired to explore greater depths of bioethics while avoiding the pitfalls of becoming immersed in extremes.

— Linda Ocasio

Metapsychology