Overview

In this clear, concise, comprehensively revised and up-to-date introduction to environmental ethics, Robin Attfield guides the student through the key issues and debates in this field in ways that will also be of interest to a wide range of scholars and researchers. The book introduces environmental problems and environmental ethics and surveys theories of the sources of the problems. Attfield also puts forward his own original contribution to the debates, advocating biocentric consequentialism among theories of normative ethics and defending objectivism in meta-ethics. The possibilities of ethical consumerism and investment are discussed, and the nature and basis of responsibilities for future generations in such areas as sustainable development are given detailed consideration. Attfield adopts an inclusive, cosmopolitan perspective in discussions of global ethics and citizenship, and illustrates his argument with a discussion of global warming, mitigation, adaptation and global justice. The revised edition features a new chapter on climate change, new treatments of animal issues, ecofeminism, environmental aesthetics, invasion biology and virtue ethics, and new applications of the precautionary principle to fisheries, genetic engineering and synthetic biology. The glossary and bibliography have been updated to assist understanding of these themes. The text uses a range of devices to aid understanding, such as summaries of key issues, and guides to further reading and relevant websites. It has been written particularly with a view to the needs of students taking courses in environmental ethics, and will be of interest to students and scholars of philosophy, ethics, geography, religion and environmental studies.

Full Product Details

9780745652528

Table of Contents

Reviews

''Robin Attfield has always been good at bringing together the fragmented, and sometimes quarrelsome, assemblies of campaigners who (somewhat desperately) strive to protect our planet. Here he does it again, wisely pointing out how many different reasons there are for attempting this enterprise and how they can most usefully be combined E Congratulations!'' Mary Midgley ''Attfield, for decades a leading figure in the field, continues at the forefront with his E second edition E here is further proof that environmental ethics is alive, well, challenging, and urgent on Earth.'' Holmes Rolston, III, Colorado State University ''This is clearly the best introductory book in environmental ethics to date. It covers an enormous range of topics in a rapidly expanding field and pays tribute to the diversity of perspectives and approaches without betraying its own distinctive moral stance.'' Dieter Birnbacher, Heinrich Heine University, Dusseldorf

Robin Attfield has always been good at bringing together the fragmented, and sometimes quarrelsome, assemblies of campaigners who (somewhat desperately) strive to protect our planet. Here he does it again, wisely pointing out how many different reasons there are for attempting this enterprise and how they can most usefully be combined E Congratulations! Mary Midgley Attfield, for decades a leading figure in the field, continues at the forefront with his E second edition E here is further proof that environmental ethics is alive, well, challenging, and urgent on Earth. Holmes Rolston, III, Colorado State University This is clearly the best introductory book in environmental ethics to date. It covers an enormous range of topics in a rapidly expanding field and pays tribute to the diversity of perspectives and approaches without betraying its own distinctive moral stance. Dieter Birnbacher, Heinrich Heine University, Dusseldorf

<p> Robin Attfield has always been good at bringing together thefragmented, and sometimes quarrelsome, assemblies of campaignerswho (somewhat desperately) strive to protect our planet. Here hedoes it again, wisely pointing out how many different reasons thereare for attempting this enterprise and how they can most usefullybe combined E Congratulations! Mary Midgley <p> Attfield, for decades a leading figure in the field, continuesat the forefront with his E second edition E here isfurther proof that environmental ethics is alive, well,challenging, and urgent on Earth. Holmes Rolston, III, Colorado State University <p> This is clearly the best introductory book in environmentalethics to date. It covers an enormous range of topics in a rapidlyexpanding field and pays tribute to the diversity of perspectivesand approaches without betraying its own distinctive moralstance. Dieter Birnbacher, Heinrich Heine University,Dusseldorf

Author Information

Robin Attfield is Professor of Philosophy at Cardiff University.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available