Ecological Thought: An Introduction (Making of Europe) - Softcover

Hayward, Tim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745613209 ISBN 13: 9780745613208

Publisher: Polity, 1995

Synopsis

This book offers a new introduction to the implications of ecology for social and political thought, arguing for green ideas to be taken seriously by mainstream social and political theorists.

About this title

About the Author

Tim Hayward is a lecturer in the Department of Politics, University of Edinburgh.

From the Back Cover

This book offers an accessible introduction to the implications of ecology for social and political thought. The book surveys a range of debates about values in nature, the meaning of sustainable development, and such questions as whether human rights are compatible with ecological responsibilities. Sensitive throughout to the social dimension of ecological problems, it also develops a theoretical framework for ecological politics.

The damage humans are inflicting on their environment, on other species and on their own future prospects on earth requires an urgent response - but what sort?

Contemporary debates feature a variety of views. According to some, there must be a radical transformation of the whole trajectory of development of modern societies; this implies a fundamental challenge to the attitudes and values which have prevailed in the West since the Enlightenment. Others see a wholesale rejection of modern forms of life and thought as neither realistic nor necessary, claiming that solutions to ecological problems must be sought in a more consistent application of scientific reason.

In analysing the competing arguments, the author shows that the radical claims of ecological thought must be taken seriously, but that a non-exploitative attitude to nature is consistent with a continued commitment to Enlightenment values such as democracy, human rights and the pursuit of knowledge.

This book will be of interest to all those who wish to gain a basic understanding of ecological controversies today. It will appeal to the interested lay reader and to students in environmental studies, ethics, sociology and political theory.

The damage humans are inflicting on their environment, on other species and on their own future prospects on earth requires an urgent response - but what sort?

Contemporary debates feature a variety of views. According to some, there must be a radical transformation of the whole trajectory of development of modern societies; this implies a fundamental challenge to the attitudes and values which have prevailed in the West since the Enlightenment. Others see a wholesale rejection of modern forms of life and thought as neither realistic nor necessary, claiming that solutions to ecological problems must be sought in a more consistent application of scientific reason.

In analysing the competing arguments, the author shows that the radical claims of ecological thought must be taken seriously, but that a non-exploitative attitude to nature is consistent with a continued commitment to Enlightenment values such as democracy, human rights and the pursuit of knowledge.

This book will be of interest to all those who wish to gain a basic understanding of ecological controversies today. It will appeal to the interested lay reader and to students in environmental studies, ethics, sociology and political theory.

Edition details

• Publisher: Polity
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0745613209
• ISBN 13: 9780745613208
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272