Environmental Philosophy: From Theory to Practice

How do we distinguish legitimate environmental problems from those that are not genuine? What should we be concerned with saving-is it humanity's future alone that we should work toward? What of other species, ecosystems, and the natural physical features of Earth? Do we have responsibilities to animals? To future generations that will be affected by climate change?

Environmental philosophy is a multidisciplinary endeavor that engages with theoretical concepts of both traditional philosophy and the wide variety of interrelated environmental sciences. Environmental impacts and the path forward are also critical issues in the real world, so equally important is the practical application of theory into policy.

In this comprehensive guide, environmental theorist Sahotra Sarkar delves into our thinking around these issues, covering ethics, decision theory, conservation biology, restoration ecology, sustainability, and more. He addresses current topics in the politics of environmentalism, examining the claims of ecofeminism, social ecology, and the environmental justice movements.

This guide constitutes the first comprehensive treatment of environmental philosophy, going beyond ethics to address the philosophical concepts that underlie environmental thinking and policy-making today.