Environmental philosophy 2
Contents
Staking out the territory 14
Types of value 14
The anthropocentric–ecocentric divide 15
A green theory of value? 17
Holistic perspectives 19
Moral extensionism 26
Animal liberationism 26
Moral extensionism as an environmental ethic 32
Conclusion: Breaking down the anthropocentric–ecocentric divide 35
Further reading 38
Key issues
◗ What are the main theories and debates in environmental philosophy?
◗ Does nature have value independent of human needs?
◗ Are some parts of nature more valuable than others?
◗ On what grounds might humans have duties towards the natural world?
◗ Can environmental philosophy provide the ethical basis for a green ideology?The central and most recalcitrant problem for environmental ethics is the
problem of constructing an adequate theory of intrinsic value for nonhuman
natural entities and for nature as a whole. (Callicott 1985 : 257)Environmental politics is suffused with ethical dilemmas. Should we reduce
theemployment prospects of poor people in order to save an endangered
species? Are draconian controls on population growth justified if we are