Environmental Ethics - Paperback

by Michael Boylan (Editor)

The latest edition of an essential resource in the theory and applications of environmental ethics

In the newly revised Third Edition of Environmental Ethics, internationally renowned philosopher Michael Boylan delivers another accessible introduction for students new to ethics, and an invaluable reference for scholars of all levels. The anthology includes important essays, both established and contemporary, as well as eight brand-new contributions commissioned specifically for this edition. This new material is the foundation for students' understanding of the most recent ethical debates on the environment and humanity's place within it.

The balanced combination of new material on recent developments in the field and well-known, foundational articles appears alongside helpful pedagogical materials, including case studies and sample questions. The book brings students up to speed on all the main themes in the area, including worldview arguments for environmentalism, the anthropocentric vs. biocentric debate, and a variety of applied environmental problems. Environmental Ethics also offers:

• A thorough introduction to the theoretical background of environmental ethics, including discussions of ethical reasoning, nature, and the tragedy of the commons
• Comprehensive explorations of eco-feminism and social justice, aesthetics, and deep ecology
• Practical discussions of anthropocentric and biocentric justifications in environmental ethics
• In-depth examinations of applied environmental problems, including climate change, animal rights, sustainability, and public policy

Perfect for undergraduate and graduate students studying topics in ethics, the environment, law, and policy, Environmental Ethics will also earn a place in the libraries of philosophers with an interest in applied or environmental ethics, and industry consultants to ecologists, environmental scientists, or environmental policymakers.

Back Jacket

"This collection of essays on environmental ethics is invaluable. It contains not just the classic ground-breaking essays on the land ethic, on shallow and deep ecology, and on socialist and feminist approaches to the environment (by Leopold, Naess, Bookchin, Merchant and others), but also up-to-the-minute essays on key issues, including anthropocentrism and speciesism and the rights of future generations, as well as reviewing the arguments around climate change. This book is essential reading for anyone wanting to sharpen their moral awareness in addressing the global environmental crisis."
--Dermot Moran, University College Dublin

"Boylan combines provocative readings on animals, environment and sustainability, with object lessons in how to think clearly about tricky cases. A neat feature of the book is the way in which the cases are deftly woven into the structure of the collection. The result is a hands-on guide on how to think clearly about some of the baffling issues in environmental ethics."
--Andrew Brennan, La Trobe University

The newly revised Third Edition of Environmental Ethics adds 8 brand-new contributions from leading and emerging scholars and updated pedagogical features that help students new to environmental ethics get a firm grasp on the main themes in this vibrant and practical area of study.

A combination of established, foundational essays, insightful new contributions, and thought-provoking editorial content grounds students' understanding of the ethical dimensions of the environment and the place that human beings occupy within it. Thorough discussions of the theoretical background of environmental ethics, including worldview arguments for environmentalism and the anthropocentric vs. biocentric justification debate, precede examinations of applied environmental problems, like climate change and animal rights.

The gold standard in introductory environmental ethics anthologies, Environmental Ethics delivers a uniquely informative and engaging approach to the seemingly intractable environmental problems humanity presently faces. It is the ideal resource for graduate and undergraduate students taking courses in ethics, the environment, law, and policy. It's also a must-read for industry consultants to ecologists, environmental scientists, and environmental policymakers.

Author Biography

Michael Boylan is Professor of Philosophy at Marymount University. He has authored 39 books and over 150 journal articles and book chapters, has served on numerous professional and governmental policy committees, and was a Fellow at the Center for American Progress. He has been invited to speak at universities in fifteen countries on five continents around the world, including Oxford, Cambridge, Cologne, and more.