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Agrarian philosophy and ecological ethics
1Department of Philosophy, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1032, USA. thomp649@msu.edu
Science and Engineering Ethics
|October 23, 2008
Summary
Environmental ethics can be advanced by revisiting agrarian philosophy, which emphasizes nature's role in shaping morality and institutions. This approach integrates virtue ethics and pragmatism for a more ecological perspective.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Philosophy
- Ethics
- Agrarian Studies
Background:
- Mainstream environmental ethics traditionally relies on rationality and rational choice theories.
- Weaknesses in these traditional approaches necessitate alternative frameworks for ecological ethics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore virtue ethics and pragmatism as alternative foundations for environmental philosophy.
- To investigate the potential of agrarian philosophy to inform ecological ethics.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of philosophical traditions, specifically virtue ethics, pragmatism, and agrarianism.
- Conceptual exploration of the relationship between agrarian philosophy and ecological ethics.
Main Results:
- Both virtue ethics and pragmatism can be seen as emerging from agrarian philosophical traditions.
- Agrarian philosophy highlights the influence of nature, soil, and climate on moral character and societal structures.
Conclusions:
- Revisiting agrarian philosophy offers a promising path for developing ecological ethics.
- Integrating agrarian insights can enhance both virtue-oriented and pragmatist approaches in environmental philosophy.
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