Philosophy 345:Environmental Philosophy and Ethics

Spring, 1999

Professor: Dr. Norman Wirzba Pawling Hall 309

863-8204 (office) 867-1420 (home) e-mail: nwirzba0@...

Office Hours: MWF 11:00-12:00 & TTh 3:30-4:30

Course Description: Philosophical exploration of the concept of the natural environment, including a survey of ethical positions that guide human habitation in nature. Prerequisite: one course in philosophy. (3 hours)

Course Objectives: Students will a) reflect on the meaning of the environment, b) delineate the historical precursors to, and the nature of, the crises evident in the environment today, c) articulate a philosophically informed ethical responses to these crises, and d) develop a holistic account of the relation between nature and culture.

In order to accomplish these goals it is necessary that we first gain an appreciation for the variety of views, and the changes to those views, that have governed the way humans think about the natural world. Here students will be asked to consider the meaning of the difference between culture and nature and the significance of wilderness. We will consider agrarian life as the most concrete and pervasive form in which this contact between nature and culture occurs. Students will then be asked to judge competing views in the light of contemporary environmental concerns.

Students will also be required to formulate an ethical framework that will enable them to address a particular environmental problem. In preparation for this task, students will examine a variety of ethical positions that are currently suggested by various philosophers.

Class Texts: S.J. Armstrong & R.G. Botzler. Environmental Ethics: Divergence and Convergence (2^nd edition)

Wendell Berry. The Unsettling of America

Class Requirements: I would like to run this class like a seminar. This means that we will do a lot of collaborative work – you will present material in class as much as possible. To do this you will need to keep up with reading assignments and come to class prepared to discuss them. To help you do this I would like you to keep an informal journal connected with your reading. Use the journal to write down questions and provocative ideas that you think need further discussion. I will collect the journal at the end of the semester. Your first essay will be a book review of The Unsettling of America. We will discuss the book in class, but I want from you a 5 page paper giving me your considered judgment on aspects of Berry’s argument. Your second essay will be a research paper in which you focus on a particular environmental problem we face. Included in this assignment will be a class presentation (you get the whole class) where you present the nature and extent of the problem and various possible solutions. Your paper should be about 10 pages long. We will finish the class with a final exam.

In-Class Contribution & Journal - 10%

Book Review - 20%

Research Paper - 40%

Final Exam - 30%

Class Attendance: Class attendance is very important since the success of this class depends on your participation. After 4 absences I will begin to deduct 2% from your final grade. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed

Class Schedule: (Tentative)

Weeks 1-3 The Idea of Nature in History and Philosophy (#17-20 & Unsettling...)

Weeks 4-6 Contemporary Schools of Thought (#45,47,48-55)

Weeks 7-10 Ethical Questions (#6-9,34-37,10,14,39-44,62,56-58,63-64)

Weeks 11-12 Class Presentations

Weeks 13-14 An Overall Perspective (#2,4,21-26,27-33)

Additional Bibliography: A great deal of literature has been produced in the last two decades. A good place to begin would be the State of the World reports that are published each year. For particular philosophical questions you can consult with me. Also, the web now has many sites devoted to environmental philosophy and ethics.