Description
Book SynopsisIn this clear, concise, comprehensively revised and up-to-date introduction to environmental ethics, Robin Attfield guides the student through the key issues and debates in this field in ways that will also be of interest to a wide range of scholars and researchers.
Trade Review"Robin Attfield has always been good at bringing together the fragmented, and sometimes quarrelsome, assemblies of campaigners who (somewhat desperately) strive to protect our planet. Here he does it again, wisely pointing out how many different reasons there are for attempting this enterprise and how they can most usefully be combined ... Congratulations!"
Mary Midgley "This is clearly the best introductory book in environmental ethics to date."
Dieter Birnbacher, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf "Attfield, for decades a leading figure in the field, continues at the forefront with his second edition. Here is further proof that environmental ethics is alive, well, challenging, and urgent on Earth."
Holmes Rolston, III, Colorado State UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgements
List Of Abbreviations
Author's Preface
1. Environmental Problems And Humanity
Introduction: Environmental Problems And The Global Environment
Local And Global Environmental Problems
Animal Welfarism And Environmentalism
Theories Of Value
Environmental Ethics And Its Neighbours
Theories Of The Genesis Of The Problems
Human Stewardship Of Nature
But Is Caring About The Environment Really Possible?
2. Some Central Debates
Dominion And Stewardship
A Recent Critique
The Emergence Of Environmental Ethics In The Early 1970s
Holism, Anthropocentrism And Biocentrism Compared
Biocentric Consequentialism
Alternative Theories
Meta-Ethical Debates
3. Some Critiques Of Environmental Ethics
Environmental Ethics, Motivation And The Good Life
There Is More To Ethics Than These Promising Approaches Allow
There Is More To Human Motivation Too
Can Environmental Ethics Make A Difference?
Can Values Contribute To Change?
Does A Consequentialist Environmental Ethic Have Unacceptable Implications?
Would Biocentric Consequentialism Preserve Enough Species?
4. Taking The Future Seriously
The Scope And Limits Of Future-Related Responsibilities
Some Bases For Future-Related Responsibilities
Some Grounds For Restricting Future-Related Responsibilities
Restricting Future-Related Responsibilities By Discounting
Do Human Interests And Environmental Responsibilities Converge?
Saving The Future From Environmental Injustice
Representing The Future In Present Decision-Making
5. Sustainable Development, Population And Precaution
The Concept Of Sustainable Development
Debates About Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development And The Debate About Sustainability
Sustainable Development Policies And Sustainable Development
Population, Neo-Malthusianism, Justice And Sustainability
The Precautionary Principle
Sustainable Development And Liberal Democracy
6. The Global Community And Global Citizenship
Global Citizenship And A Cosmopolitan Ethic
Varieties Of Global Citizenship And Cosmopolitan Ethic
The Common Heritage Of Humankind
Issues Of Global Governance
Global Warming: Principles For A Possible Agreement
Global Problems, Global Ethics And Global Decision-Making
7. The Ethics of Climate Change
Glossary Of Key Terms
Bibliography
