Old Course Description: The course will analyze the major philosophical issues in the field of environmental ethics. Some of the topics will include the historical roots of the environmental crisis, a land ethic, intrinsic natural value, biocentrism, and biodiversity, the role of science and the scientific method, the aesthetic value of nature, animal rights, strong and weak anthropocentrism, Ecotheology, Deep Ecology, Ecofeminism, environmental economics, Buddhist and Taoist attitudes toward nature. In addition to Western metaphysical and ethical systems, non-Western cultures and primal societies will be considered. The course will read and discuss major articles and essays in the literature of the environmental movement.
Teaching Social Action