An Environmental Proposal for Ethics - Hardcover

Westra University Of Windsor, Laura

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0847678946 ISBN 13: 9780847678945

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 1994

Synopsis

Westra asks the questions, 'What does 'integrity' mean?' and 'Is there a moral doctrine that would support both the ideal and the obligation that integrity engenders?' The answers to these questions lead to the formulation of a principle which proposes that all our moral doctrines should be preceded by a principle aimed at preserving a philosophical analysis and defense of environmental integrity, then explores some of the practical implications of a principle of integrity for environmental ethics.

About this title

About the Author

Laura Westra is professor emerita of philosophy at the University of Windsor and the author or editor of numerous books, including An Environmental Proposal for Ethics (Rowman & Littlefield, 1994), Faces of Environmental Racism (Rowman & Littlefield, 1995), Perspectives on Ecological Integrity (Kluwer), The Greeks and the Environment (Rowman & Littlefield, 1997) and Technology and Values (Rowman & Littlefield, 1998). Bill Lawson is professor of philosophy at Michigan State University.

Review

This original discussion breaks new ground by thoroughly analyzing ethical and aesthetic values, centering on the concept of ecological integrity, that apply intrinsically to nature and that govern our rightful use of the environment. Those who have been waiting for an exciting account of the inherent structure and worth of ecological systems in relation to environmental policy will find it in this book. (Mark Sagoff, Institute of Philosophy and Public Policy, University of Maryland)

Westra's book is the best philosophical defense, to date, of the ecosystems approach to environmental ethics. It provides an excellent and comprehensive overview of the international literature in this area of applied ethics, and it offers the most sophisticated treatment, so far, of the philosophical concept of integrity. Philosophers and policymakers as well as students should learn from it. (Dr. Kristin Shrader-Frechette, O'Neill Family Professor, Department of Biological Sciences & Department of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame)

In developing her thesis, Westra addresses many of the central issues in environmental ethics. Of interest is her comparison of the repair of damaged ecosystems to the repair of unjust social systems. (Ethics: An International Journal of Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy)

Westra provides a lucid and sympathetic but not uncritical reconstruction of ecofeminism. She has no problem identifying patriarchy as one of the factors underlying the paradigm of objectification and domination, but considers it an oversimplification to see patriarchy as ^Rthe^I root of the problem. (David Schmidtz, ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES)

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0847678946
• ISBN 13: 9780847678945
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240