PHIL 2480

This course examines humanity’s relation to nature from a philosophical perspective. Of particular importance will be the moral or ethical obligations humanity may have towards the natural environment. Attention will be given to the historical sources of the attitudes and values that have given rise to current ecological problems in the environment, as well as to the question of how to remediate our relationship to nature. We will read from environmental holists, biocentrics, ecofeminists, deep ecologists, and others, and discuss issues concerning animal rights, environmental justice, and activism.