Living in Integrity: A Global Ethic to Restore a Fragmented Earth / Edition 288

by Laura Westra University of Windsor

Overview

This innovative book takes a new look at environmental ethics and the need for ecological and biological integrity. Laura Westra explores the necessity for radical alteration not only of interpersonal ethics, but also of social institutions and public policy. In the process, Westra denies the validity of majority rule in environmentally ethical concerns. Issues discussed in the book include the link between ecological integrity and human health; an environmental evaluation of business and technology; biotechnology and transgenics in agriculture and aquaculture; and the environmental ethics of the ancient Greeks and Kant. Living in Integrity is a valuable book for philosophers and environmentalists alike.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780847689279
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	01/28/1998
Series:	Studies in Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.84(w) x 8.96(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

Laura Westra is professor emerita of philosophy at the University of Windsor and the author or editor of numerous books, including An Environmental Proposal for Ethics (Rowman & Littlefield, 1994), Faces of Environmental Racism (Rowman & Littlefield, 1995), Perspectives on Ecological Integrity (Kluwer), The Greeks and the Environment (Rowman & Littlefield, 1997) and Technology and Values (Rowman & Littlefield, 1998). Bill Lawson is professor of philosophy at Michigan State University.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Part 1 Chapter 2 Living with Integrity: The Problems and the Promise Chapter 3 The Link between Ecological Integrity and Human Health in the Present and the Future: Second-Order Principles Chapter 4 Environmental Risks, Rights, and the Failure of Liberal Democracy: Some Possible Remedies Part 5 Part II Chapter 6 Why We Need a Nonanthropocentric Environmental Evaluation of Technology for Public Policy Chapter 7 Development and Environmental Racism: The Case of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Chapter 8 Biotechnology and Transgenics in Agriculture and Aquaculture: The Perspective from Ecosystem Integrity Part 9 Part III Chapter 10 The Greeks and Kant: The Quest for Compatible Ethics Chapter 11 Integrity, Public Policy, and the Law: A Question of Sustainability Chapter 12 From Living with Integrity to Living in Integrity: Second-Order Principles for a Global Ethic Chapter 13 A Design for a Global Ethic Chapter 14 Index

Editorial Reviews

This is a most enlightening book on the development of ecology as a branch of science which uses a thorough and original analytical approach to show us the complex relationship between the science and society over the last fifty years. It is therefore highly recommended reading not only for biologists and science historians, but also for anyone involved in social sciences who has an interest in environmental politics.

Environmental Politics - Angel Valencia Saiz

From Aristotle to aquaculture, Plato to petroleum, the sweep of this book is amazing. Westra places current concerns about the environment in the context of the great theories of moral philosophy, leading the reader to a deeper understanding of both.

Mark Sagoff

Living in Integrity is Professor Westra's sequel to her previous book An Environmental Proposal for Ethics, based upon the principles of ecological integrity. In this book, she meticulously spells out the practical and policy decisions which follow from the 'principle of integrity.' Westra persuasively argues that anthropocentric approaches are inadequate to effectively deal with the environmental crisis—that a shift to an ecocentric perspective will be necessary.

George Sessions

This is a work rich in ideas. .. it is certainly stimulating to have the ecocentric position stated in such a forthright manner.

Journal of Environmental Planning & Management - Ian Thompson

Living in Integrity is a useful and challenging addition to literature.

Choice Reviews - W. Ouderkirk

Westra's book offers both a candid assessment of and challenging solutions to environmental ills.

Environmental Ethics - Mark S. Halfon

This book is bold and provocative.

Political Studies Review - Robyn Eckersley

In displaying so graphically the social, political, and institutional dimensions of the problems which lie beneath the 'environmental' label, Laura Westra performs a signal service. She presses home some uncomfortable questions and offers challenging and honest answers. She debates an impressive range of issues in a manner at once vigorous and resourceful. Her judgments are forthright and unclouded. This is an enriching and rewarding book to read.

From The Foreword - Alan Holland

Living in Integrity is a useful and challenging addition to literature.

CHOICE, October 1998, Vol. 36, N0.2 - W. Ouderkirk

This is a most enlightening book on the development of ecology as a branch of science which uses a thorough and original analytical approach to show us the complex relationship between the science and society over the last fifty years. It is therefore highly recommended reading not only for biologists and science historians, but also for anyone involved in social sciences who has an interest in environmental politics.
— Angel Valencia Saiz, Malaga University

Environmental Politics

This book is bold and provocative.
— Robyn Eckersley, Monash University

Political Studies Review

Westra's book offers both a candid assessment of and challenging solutions to environmental ills.
— Mark S. Halfon, Nassau Community College

Environmental Ethics

This is a work rich in ideas . . . it is certainly stimulating to have the ecocentric position stated in such a forthright manner.
— Ian Thompson, School of Architecture, Planning & Landscape

Journal Of Environmental Planning & Management

In displaying so graphically the social, political, and institutional dimensions of the problems which lie beneath the 'environmental' label, Laura Westra performs a signal service. She presses home some uncomfortable questions and offers challenging and honest answers. She debates an impressive range of issues in a manner at once vigorous and resourceful. Her judgments are forthright and unclouded. This is an enriching and rewarding book to read.

Alan Holland