Ecological Ethics: An Introduction

In this thoroughly revised and updated second edition of the highly successful Ecological Ethics, Patrick Curry shows that a new and truly ecological ethic is both possible and urgently needed. With this distinctive proposition in mind, Curry introduces and discusses all the major concepts needed to understand the full range of ecological ethics. He discusses light green or anthropocentric ethics with the examples of stewardship, lifeboat ethics, and social ecology; the mid-green or intermediate ethics of animal liberation/rights; and dark or deep green ecocentric ethics. Particular attention is given to the Land Ethic, the Gaia Hypothesis and Deep Ecology and its offshoots: Deep Green Theory, Left Biocentrism and the Earth Manifesto. Ecofeminism is also considered and attention is paid to the close relationship between ecocentrism and virtue ethics. Other chapters discuss green ethics as post-secular, moral pluralism and pragmatism, green citizenship, and human population in the light of ecological ethics. In this new edition, all these have been updated and joined by discussions of climate change, sustainable economies, education, and food from an ecocentric perspective. This comprehensive and wide-ranging textbook offers a radical but critical introduction to the subject which puts ecocentrism and the critique of anthropocentrism back at the top of the ethical, intellectual and political agenda. It will be of great interest to students and activists, and to a wider public.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements 1 Introduction This Book An Initial Example Looking Ahead Value and Nature Ethics and Grub What's New? Transparency and Responsibility 2 The Earth in Crisis The Signs Analysing Ecocrisis Science and Technology 3 Ethics What is Ethics? Realism vs. Relativism The Naturalistic Fallacy Religious Ethics Secular Ethics 4 Three Schools of Ethics Deontology ('Rights') Consequentialism ('Effects') Virtue Ethics A Green Virtue Ethic 5 Value Some Issues Anthropocentrism Ecocentrism 6 Light Green or Shallow (Anthropocentric) Ethics What is a Light Green Ethic? Environmentalism Lifeboat Ethics 7 Mid-Green or Intermediate Ethics Animal Liberation Animal Rights Biocentrism Animals and Us Wild Animals Domestic Animals On (Not) Eating Animals: the Options 8 Dark Green or Deep (Ecocentric) Ethics A Suggested DeÞnition The Land Ethic Gaia Theory Deep Ecology Deep Green Theory Left Biocentrism Ecocentrism and the Left The Earth Manifesto 9 Ecofeminism 10 Deep Green Ethics as Post-Secular Dogmatic Secularism An Ecocentric Spirituality Animism Green Buddhism? 11 Moral Pluralism and Pragmatism The Poverty of Monism The Consequences of Pluralism Multicentrism 12 Green Citizenship and Education Making it Real A Long Revolution? Ecological Education Traditional Ecological Knowledge Ecological Republicanism A Note on Wisdom 13 Grounding Ecological Ethics The Food System On Malthus Climate Change Wind Power and Energy Nuclear Energy Geo-engineering Carbon Trading and Ecosystem Services: the New Gods of the Market Sustainability The Limits to Growth A Left Ecocentric Guide to Capitalism Alternatives Movements in the Right Direction 14 Human Overpopulation The Problem Analysing Overpopulation Taking on the Arguments about Overpopulation Climate Change Again Overpopulation and Ecocentrism 15 Postscript Notes References Index

About the Author :
Patrick Curry is an honorary research lecturer at the University of Wales Trinity St David.

Review :
"This significantly expanded second edition is indispensable." Times Higher Education "A beautifully written account which is immensely satisfying and informative to read. I have seldom read better." LSE Politics Blog "A must read - not only for greenies, but especially for the lay person seeking more information on the subject, both from a theoretical and from a practical point of view." Ethical Perspectives "It is easy to see why Curry's book is highly relevant to the modern environmentalist. His writing is accessible and his voice doesn't get in the way of the big topics he covers. Such clarity of expression is of great importance for a book that possesses such intellectual vigour. Moreover, such an approach means this can be read and understood not by academics alone but by anyone wishing to better understand their own reactions to environmental dilemmas as well as other people's." The Ecologist "Contributes both an original perspective to the field of environmental philosophy and an accessible comprehensive introductory text for undergraduates." Newsletter of the International Society for Environmental Ethics "Curry's book is a significant contribution, and it is wholeheartedly recommended for those who are interested in building a better world." Mother Pelican "A profoundly useful and informative guide." Morning Star "Ecological Ethics is the best practical introduction to the role of philosophy in understanding the greatest environmental challenges of our time. Everyone who wants to make a difference should read it." David Rothenberg, New Jersey Institute of Technology and author of Survival of the Beautiful and Why Birds Sing "An excellent introduction to the different schools of ecological ethics, and as importantly, a strong defense of why a deep-green (or ecocentric) ethics represents the future of ethics if we humans wish to sustain a viable civilization on planet Earth." Erik Assadourian, Senior Fellow and Director of the Transforming Cultures Project, Worldwatch Institute "Curry is one of the most creative and important new voices in post-secular, or animistic, environmental ethics." David Keller, Utah Valley University