The Ethics of Species
An Introduction

This book develops and defends an ethic of species preservation, genetic modification, human enhancement and species creation.

Ronald L. Sandler (Author)

9781107658707, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 20 September 2012

245 pages, 1 b/w illus.
24.6 x 17.4 x 1.2 cm, 0.49 kg

'The rich analysis Sandler offers in The Ethics of Species provides a strong foundation to the philosopher interested in the normative standing of biological species.' Environmental Values

We are causing species to go extinct at extraordinary rates, altering existing species in unprecedented ways and creating entirely new species. More than ever before, we require an ethic of species to guide our interactions with them. In this book, Ronald L. Sandler examines the value of species and the ethical significance of species boundaries and discusses what these mean for species preservation in the light of global climate change, species engineering and human enhancement. He argues that species possess several varieties of value, but they are not sacred. It is sometimes permissible to alter species, let them go extinct (even when we are a cause of the extinction) and invent new ones. Philosophically rigorous, accessible and illustrated with examples drawn from contemporary science, this book will be of interest to students of philosophy, bioethics, environmental ethics and conservation biology.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. The value of species
3. The conservation biology dilemma
4. Assisted colonization
5. Shifting goals and changing strategies
6. The (in)significance of species boundaries
7. Homo sapiens in particular
8. Artifactual species
9. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Climate change [RNPG], Conservation of wildlife & habitats [RNKH], Conservation of the environment [RNK], Animal ecology [PSVS], Bio-ethics [PSAD], Biology, life sciences [PS], Ethics & moral philosophy [HPQ]