Divided Natures: French Contributions to Political Ecology [Hardcover]

Kerry H Whiteside (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2002

In this book Kerry Whiteside introduces the work of a range of French ecological theorists to an English-speaking audience. He shows how thinkers in France and in English-speaking countries have produced different strains of ecological thought and suggests that the work of French ecological theorists could lessen pervasive tensions in Anglophone ecology.Much of the theory written in English is shaped by the debate between anthropocentric ecologists, who contend that the value of our nonhuman surroundings derives from their role in fulfilling human interests, and ecocentric ecologists, who contend that the nonhuman world holds ultimate value in and of itself. This debate is almost nonexistent among French theorists, who tend to focus on the processes linking nature and human identity. Whiteside suggests that the insights of French theorists could help English-language theorists to extricate themselves from endless debates over the real center of nature's value.Among the French theorists discussed are Denis de Rougemont, Denis Duclos, René Dumont, Luc Ferry, André Gorz, Félix Guattari, Bruno Latour, Alain Lipietz, Edgar Morin, Serge Moscovici, and Michel Serres. The English-language theorists discussed include John Barry, Robyn Eckersley, Robert Goodin, Tim Hayward, Holmes Rolston III, and Paul Taylor.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an outstanding contribution to the field of environmental philosophy/politics. Nothing like it exists in the English-language literature." Michael Zimmerman, Department of Philosophy, Tulane University

"Every so often, a work comes along that is so timely...and this book is one such work." Melissa Clark American Political Science Review

"Every so often, a work comes along that is so timely...this book is one such work." Melissa Clark American Political Science Review

"This is an outstanding contribution to the field of environmental philosophy/politics. Nothing like it exists in the English-language literature."--Michael Zimmerman, Department of Philosophy, Tulane University

"An original and significant contribution to the field. I am not aware of any other works in English that bring these particular theorists to the foreground. This book will appeal to academics working in the field, to postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students, and to a wider public engaged in the more philosophical aspects of environmental problems."--Mathew Humphrey, School of Politics, University of NottinghamPlease note: Endorser gives permission to excerpt from quote.

"Whiteside's discussion of recent French thought is clear, well-written, and informative. He introduces to the English-speaking world theorists who have been unduly neglected, bringing up important issues that will raise the level of analysis and debate in Anglophone ecological discussions."--John P. Clark, Professor of Philosophy and Chairperson, Environmental Studies Program, Loyola UniversityPlease note: Endorser gives permission to excerpt from quote in whole sentences.

About the Author

Kerry H. Whiteside is Clair R. McCollough Professor of Government at Franklin & Marshall College. He is the author of Divided Natures: French Contributions to Political Ecology (MIT Press, 2002).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 335 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press; 1st edition (February 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262232219
• ISBN-13: 978-0262232210
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,108,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars No less obscure, October 25, 2005

By 

Bernard Krause "Bernie Krause" (Glen Ellen, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Divided Natures: French Contributions to Political Ecology (Paperback)

"Divided Natures: French Contributions to Political Ecology" covers a broad range of Gaulic political ecophilosophy over the past half century. While an interesting summary and exposition, the author, Kerry Whiteside, does little to hold the attention of the reader for any of several reasons.

I was particularly struck by the feeling that Whiteside has spent very little time exploring aspects of the natural world outside of his head. And therein lies the problem with his conclusions. It's like Alfred North Whitehead's comment of his friend, Bertrand Russell's first Harvard lecture on the Quantum Theory: "I'd like to thank Professor Russell for his brilliant exposition. And especially for leaving unobsecured the vast darkness of the subject."

Bernie Krause, PhD