Philosophy and Geography I: Space, Place, and Environmental Ethics(Philosophy and Geography)

The inaugural collection in an exciting new exchange between philosophers and geographers, this volume provides interdisciplinary approaches to the environment as space, place, and idea. Never before have philosophers and geographers approached each other's subjects in such a strong spirit of mutual understanding. The result is a concrete exploration of the human-nature relationship that embraces strong normative approaches to environmental problems. While grounded in philosophy and geography, the essays also will interest readers in political theory, environmental studies, public policy, and other disciplines.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Introduction: Geography, Philosophy, and the Environment Chapter 2 On the Ethical Determination of Geography: A Kantian Prolegomenon Chapter 3 Nature's Presence: Reflections on Healing and Domination Chapter 4 The Takings Clause and the Meaning of Land Chapter 5 Muslim Contributions to Geography and Environmental Ethics: The Challenges of Comparison and Pluralism Chapter 6 The Dialectical Social Geography of Elisè Reclus Chapter 7 The Maintenance of Natural Capital: Motivations and Methods Chapter 8 Wilderness Management Chapter 9 Mead and Heidegger: Exploring the Ethics and Theory of Space Chapter 10 Critical Reflections on Biocentric Environmental Ethics: Is It an Alternative to Anthropocentrism? Chapter 11 Ecology, Modernity, and the Intellectual Legacy of the Frankfurt School Chapter 12 Critical Questions in Environmental Philosophy

About the Author :
Andrew Light is assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Montana. Jonathan M. Smith is associate professor of Geography at Texas A&M University.

Review :
This is an essential work for scholars interested in the intersection of geography and environmental ethics. The various essays are informed and provocative, grounding the subtleties and ambiguities of environmental philosophy to the specificities of space and place. The variety of perspective offered here should help refine the field and broaden the terrain for debate within it. This outstanding collection of important essays breaks much new ground . . . these studies deftly illustrate the real promise of sophisticated philosophy investigations of geographical concepts, discourse, and practices. The approach taken and the quality of this volume augur well for the series' future and for fruitful collaboration between the two disciplines. A useful collection of examples of the situatedness of moral communities in place and space. As such, it will be of interest to a variety of geographers, philosophers, and others interested in the particularities of environmental ethics. A consistently well written and generally accessible spectrum of theoretical and applied essays. . . . The authors of Philosophy and Geography I have quite understandably only begun to elucidate this rich terrain, yet for that we are grateful. The editors have aimed for papers which will appeal to a wide audience. They have succeeded, I believe, and are to be commended for the high standards of expression and clarity achieved in all the contributions to the volume.