Philosophy and Biodiversity

This important collection focuses on the nature and importance of biodiversity.

Markku Oksanen (Edited by), Juhani Pietarinen (Edited by)

9780521039147, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 7 August 2007

280 pages, 14 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.1 x 1.5 cm, 0.422 kg

'This collection is significant. Not only does it contain quite important and thoughtful essays by some of our most important and thoughtful conservation scholars, but the nuances that they adeptly articulate in their discussions of biodiversity are those that all environmental scholars, students, and activists should become familiar with.' Environmental Values

This important collection focuses on the nature and importance of biodiversity. The concept is clarified and its intrinsic and instrumental value are discussed. Even though the term biodiversity was invented in the 1980s to promote the cause of species conservation, discussions on biological diversity go back to Plato. There are many controversies surrounding biodiversity and a few of them are examined here: What is worthy of protection or restoration and what is the acceptable level of costs? Is it permissible to kill sentient animals to promote native populations? Can species be reintroduced if they have disappeared a long time ago? How should the responsibilities for biodiversity be shared? This book will be of interest to philosophers of science and biologists, but also to anyone interested in conservation and the environment.

List of figures and tables
List of contributors
Acknowledgements
Biodiversity considered philosophically: an introduction Markku Oksanen
Part I. Using 'Biodiversity': 1. The phenomenon of biodiversity Julia Koricheva and Helena Siipi
2. Making the biodiversity crisis tractable: a process perspective Yrjö Haila
Part II. Understanding Biodiversity: 3. Plato on diversity and stability in nature Juhani Pietarinen
4. Biodiversity, Darwin and the fossil record Kim Cuddington and Michael Ruse
5. Biological diversity, ecological stability and downward causation Gregory M. Mikkelson
Part III. Valuing Biodiversity: 6. Jean-Jacques Rousseau: philosopher as botanist Finn Arler
7. There is biodiversity and biodiversity: implications for environmental philosophy Keekok Lee
8. Evaluating biodiversity for conservation: a victim of the traditional paradigm Peter R. Hobson and Jed Bultitude
9. Limits to sustainability in nature conservation Dieter Birnbacher
Part IV. Protecting Biodiversity: 10. Biological diversity and conservation policy Kate Rawles
11. Beavers and biodiversity: the ethics of ecological restoration Christian Gamborg and Peter Sandøe
12. Differentiated responsibilities Robin Attfield
Index.

Subject Areas: Biology, life sciences [PS], Philosophy of science [PDA]