Environmental Ethics: An Introduction to Environmental Philosophy [Paperback]

Joseph R. Desjardins (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 053420046X | ISBN-13: 978-0534200466 | Publication Date: January 1993

Grounded in practical environmental issues and concerns, this book introduces students to a range of ethical and philosophical issues that stem from the interaction of human beings and their natural environment. With a balance of theoretical and empirical concerns, the author discusses the development of the field of environmental ethics, including the evolution of environmental theory and practice. Following an introductory survey of a variety of environmental and philosophical issues, it provides accounts of current debates in the field (involving such topics as pollution, energy, and animal rights), revealing how philosophical analysis can clarify the issues and provide guidance for action.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Joseph DesJardins (Ph.D. University of Notre Dame) is professor of philosophy at the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota. He specializes in business ethics and environmental ethics and has also published Contemporary Issues in Business Ethics (Fifth Edition, Wadsworth, 2005) with John McCall." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Joseph DesJardins (Ph.D. University of Notre Dame) is professor of philosophy at the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota. He specializes in business ethics and environmental ethics and has also published Contemporary Issues in Business Ethics (Fifth Edition, Wadsworth, 2005) with John McCall. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 250 pages
• Publisher: Wadsworth Pub Co (January 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 053420046X
• ISBN-13: 978-0534200466
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,113,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well written outlines of major ideas, September 12, 2003

By 

Gary Sprandel (Frankfort, Kentucky) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Environmental Ethics: An Introduction to Environmental Philosophy (Paperback)

This review is based on the 2nd edition. This book presents a good introduction to the major ideas of ethical thinking about the environment. He presents ideas on how rights might be derived as a gradation from purely human interest, rights based on whether animals suffer, and nature with its own right. Throughout the book questions of individual versus community rights are discussed. Each chapter starts with a short essay that highlights some of the complexities; for example whether Mountain Goats should be introduced or eliminated in Olympic National Park. Each chapter is concluded with discussion questions that also help the reader grapple with the issues.

He presents many of the major ideas and criticisms of animal rights, energy use, the land ethic, deep ecology, and ecofeminism. Particularly in the areas of deep ecology he presents the diversity of views. Perhaps he is weak in presenting third world views and the impact that "Deep ecology" might have on poor and agrarian populations. He is lacking discussion of religious based environmental ethics ("Theocentric ethics"). Christian Ecology seeks to develop a stewardship view, and Native American, and Eastern religions center on respect for nature. I think this book works best when read with selections from the authors discussed; for example read some of Leopold's "Sand County Almanac", then read the chapter on "The Land Ethic."

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking Deeply about the Environment, and Why it Matters, August 18, 2001

By 

picky reader "Elizabeth" (St. Paul, Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Environmental Ethics : An Introduction to Environmental Philosophy (Paperback)

I read the first edition of this book (1993) and have no doubt that the third edition will surpass its scope and clarity. In a few hundred pages, Joseph Des Jardins unspools the thread of western philosophical tradition and makes it relevant for today's urgent environmental issues. Each chapter begins with a timely case study--salmon and economic develoment, nuclear waste and the rights of future generations to a clean environment--then develops the philosophical arguments required to more deeply understand just what is at stake in these and similar issues. Des Jardins' style is easy-going and eminently accessible. He wastes no words, gets to heart of the matter, and leaves the reader wanting more. Footnotes and additional readings lead to original material if the reader wants to delve more thoroughly into the topics. But you can just stop with Des Jardins if you are not a scholar, and still gain a firm grasp on how the big thinkers of western philosophy brought us to a critical divide in our environmental future. Edition One included late-breaking news from the social environmental and eco-feminist fronts, and I am confident the 2000 edition will be just as current.

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting topics, very thought provoking, September 15, 2007

By 

Christine Robbins "binkadinka" (Somewhere in Georgia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Environmental Ethics: An Introduction to Environmental Philosophy (Paperback)

I purchased this book for an environmental ethics class, and found it to be very interesting! The many changes in our environment are truly thought-provoking, and to look at them through the eyes of an ethicist was enjoyable. The reading is compelling, and good fodder for many interesting dinner table conversations.