Infinite NatureYou would be hard-pressed to find someone who categorically opposes protecting the environment, yet most people would agree that the environmentalist movement has been ineffectual and even misguided. Some argue that its agenda is misplaced, oppressive, and misanthropic—a precursor to intrusive government, regulatory bungles, and economic stagnation. Others point out that its alarmist rhetoric and preservationist solutions are outdated and insufficient to the task of galvanizing support for true reform. In this impassioned and judicious work, R. Bruce Hull argues that environmentalism will never achieve its goals unless it sheds its fundamentalist logic. The movement is too bound up in polarizing ideologies that pit humans against nature, conservation against development, and government regulation against economic growth. Only when we acknowledge the infinite perspectives on how people should relate to nature will we forge solutions that are respectful to both humanity and the environment. Infinite Nature explores some of these myriad perspectives, from the scientific understandings proffered by anthropology, evolution, and ecology, to the promise of environmental responsibility offered by technology and economics, to the designs of nature envisioned in philosophy, law, and religion. Along the way, Hull maintains that the idea of nature is social: in order to reach the common ground where sustainable and thriving communities are possible, we must accept that many natures can and do exist. Incisive, heartfelt, and brimming with practical solutions, Infinite Nature brings a much-needed and refreshing voice to the table of environmental reform. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Anthropogenic Nature | 10 |
Evolving Nature | 20 |
Ecological Nature | 37 |
In finite Nature | 57 |
Economic Nature | 74 |
Healthy Nature | 97 |
Fair Nature | 111 |
Human Nature | 141 |
Rightful Nature | 158 |
Aesthetic Nature | 178 |
Moral Nature | 192 |
Conclusion | 209 |
Notes | 217 |
| 235 | |
| 253 | |
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Common terms and phrases
ability actions aesthetic agriculture American animals argue arguments became become behavior biodiversity build cause chapter chemicals cities civilization concerns consumers costs create creation culture debate define degradation discussed dominant Earth ecological economic energy environment environmental ethic evolution example exist experiences feel find first forest functions future green human ideals important increased industry interests land landscape Leopold less lessons limits living look materials means million moral motivated Native nature observed opportunities organisms pain parks perhaps plants policies political pollution population potential practices present problems processes promote protect qualities questions reason recreation reduce replace requires respect response risks similar social soil species studies suggest sustain thousand tion trees understanding units wastes wild
Bibliographic information
| Title | Infinite Nature |
| Author | R. Bruce Hull |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | University of Chicago Press, 2006 |
| ISBN | 0226359441, 9780226359441 |
| Length | 258 pages |
| Subjects | › › Nature / Environmental Conservation & Protection Nature / General Science / General Science / Life Sciences / Ecology Science / Life Sciences / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |