Human Life and the Natural World by Owen Goldin

Human Life and the Natural World by Owen Goldin

Human concern over the urgency of current environmental issues increasingly entails wide-ranging discussions of how we may rethink the relationship between humans and the rest of the natural world. In order to provide a context for such discussions this anthology provides a selection of some of the most important, interesting and influential readings on the subject from classical times through to the late nineteenth century. Included are such figures as Xenophon, Plato, Aristotle, Hildegard of Bingen, St Francis of Assisi, Bacon, Descartes, Kant, Mill, Emerson and Thoreau. As the collection as a whole amply demonstrates, the history of western philosophical accounts of nature can help us to better understand current attitudes and problems. Human Life and the Natural Worldmay also be of interest to a broad range of philosophers and students of philosophy, and more generally to those with a concern for the environment that engages the intellect as well as the heart.

“I applaud Goldin’s project, and wish it every successThe focus on classical texts is worthwhile, and the overall structure sensible.” — Stephen Clark, University of Liverpool

“The relationship between humans and nature will be a central focus of discussion well into the next century; it is easy to see including this material in an undergraduate environmental ethics or environmental philosophy course.” — Donald Scherer, Bowling Green University

“What is unique and useful about this book is that it provides the necessary background to a fuller understanding of more recent theories.” — Loan Bryans, University College of the Cariboo

Owen Goldin is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Marquette University, Wisconsin, USA.