The Greeks and the Environment

(Paperback)

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Description

Environmental ethicists have frequently criticized ancient Greek philosophy as anti-environmental for a view of philosophy that is counterproductive to environmental ethics and a view of the world that puts nature at the disposal of people. This provocative collection of original essays reexamines the views of nature and ecology found in the thought of Plato, Aristotle, the Stoics, and Plotinus. Recognizing that these thinkers were not confronted with the environmental degradation that threatens contemporary philosophers, the contributors to this book find that the Greeks nevertheless provide an excellent foundation for a sound theory of environmentalism.

Reviews

Raises many questions which should engage and challenge anyone concerned with the environment. -- M. Eleanor Irwin * Humanities *
...a helpful introductory discussion of Greek philosophy aned environmentalism... the conclusions are both interesting and useful for those who teach environmental ethics courses or any philosophy course that seeks to apply the ancients to contemporary issues. Their assiduous attention produces a remarkably compelling, if complex, argument for the relevance of Greek philosophy to contemporary ethical concerns. -- Robert L. Grant, St. Ambrose University * Religious Studies Review *
. . . concise and absorbing . . . -- Eric LaFerrire, John Abbott College * Environmental Politics *
[Westra and Robinson] provide a an excellent analysis of the views of nature and ecology in the works of the ancient Greek philosophers, and they succeed in their purpose of showing these writings to modern enviornmentalism. -- William Stiebing Jr.

Author Bio

Laura Westra is professor emerita of philosophy at the University of Windsor and the author or editor of numerous books, including An Environmental Proposal for Ethics (Rowman & Littlefield, 1994), Faces of Environmental Racism (Rowman & Littlefield, 1995), Perspectives on Ecological Integrity (Kluwer), The Greeks and the Environment (Rowman & Littlefield, 1997) and Technology and Values (Rowman & Littlefield, 1998). Bill Lawson is professor of philosophy at Michigan State University.

Thomas M. Robinson is professor of philosophy at the University of Toronto and the author of Plato's Psychology and The Greek Legacy.