The Tangled Bank: Toward an Ecotheological Ethics of Responsible Participation

In response to the confluence of moral uncertainty with the increase of human power to alter nature, and through critical integration of the philosophical naturalism of Hans Jonas and the critical religious naturalism of James M. Gustafson, The Tangled Bank argues for an ecotheological ethics of responsible participation. By making the case that the moral pressures of our time call for a vision that is as deeply naturalistic as it is deeply theological, a critical perspective is advanced that is attuned to human embeddedness within nature as well as to human distinctiveness. In support of this, a moral anthropological method is deployed as a creative new way to integrate the comparative, critical, and constructive tasks of theological ethics. The insights of Hans Jonas and James M. Gustafson, interpreted comparatively for the first time, are critically drawn together to suggest new directions for scholarship and teaching in theology and religion and science studies.

Table of Contents:
Preface; Introduction; Hermeneutical Dimensions; Human Power and Existential Biology; Divine Power and Critical Religious Naturalism; Fundamental Dimensions; Technos, Bios, Anthropos; God, World, Human Being; Part Three: Normative Dimensions; The Imperative of Responsibility; Theocentric Ethical Participation; Conclusion: Toward an Ecotheological Ethics of Responsible; Participation; Bibliography.

About the Author :
Michael S. Hogue is Assistant Professor of Theology at Meadville Lombard Theological School (Chicago, Illinois).

Review :
'... The Tangled Bank remains a stimulating read for those concerned with interrelated challenges of sustainability and faithful living today. In the present phase of human existence, when our capacity for action may very well cause ecological collapse precipitating our ruin, it is particularly important to consider a moral dimension to these challenges. As such, Hogue's work is a cogent comment on the need for responsible ethical participation in the face of contemporary manifestations of human power.' Patrick Madigan: Heythrop Journal Vol. 53 (5), September 2012 ' Hogue argues in this book for the enduring validity of twentieth century liberal theology - with its emphasis on experience, choice and autonomy as the keynotes to theological anthropology - in addressing what he sees as the central challenge of the twenty-first century, this being the ecological crisis, and it deserves to be widely read. ' Michael Northcott in The Expository Times, Vol. 124 (2), November 2012 'Through [Hans] Jonas and [James] Gustafson, Hogue brings together philosophy and religion in a new and powerful synthesis. [...] It is not the only possible synthesis of religious and philosophical thinkers, but one that will certainly attract deserved notice for its boldness and depth.' David K. Goodin, Environmental Ethics, Vol. 34, No.1, Spring 2012