ENVS 5534 Environmental Ethics: Value of Nature/Nature of Value

This course has theoretical and practical sides. Theoretically, it is an inquiry into value theory in general, and the value of (nonhuman) nature in particular. We will examine positions on the moral standing of nonhumans, such as anthropocentrism, animal rights and welfare, biocentrism, and ecocentrism. Practically, we will explore the social, political, economic, and ethical dimensions of environmental issues such as food, consumerism, climate change, energy, and sustainability. Our animating questions are: What are our duties to the natural world? How would our civilization have to change to meet these duties?