Overview

This book shows why political theorists must take account of ecological concerns as part of their core enterprise, and how they can do so. It mounts a challenge to the received wisdom, of political theorists and their ecological critics alike, that specifically ecological values go against human interests. In Part I, Hayward criticizes those accounts of ecological values which appeal to nature's 'intrinsic value' or advocate a 'non-anthropolocentric' ethic. Such appeals are bound to fail, he argues, not because their moral impulse is too demanding but because 'values' unrelated to human interests are conceptually incoherent. Insisting on them is politically counterproductive. Part II reveals how it is actually in humans' interests to integrate ecological concern into political institutions and policies. Following a nuanced discussion of 'self-interest', Hayward goes on to show how some ecological problems can be solved by harnessing humans' rational self-interest to market-based and fiscal policies, and others by using more enlightened interests in the provision of social goods. The argument regarding ecological problems that affect non-humans more directly than humans is that humans have an interest in self-respect and integrity which provides reasons to respect non-human beings and their environmental interests. The concluding chapter indicates how the articulation of ecological values in terms of interests makes it possible to integrate them into a political theory of basic social institutions. This book will be of interest to students and scholars in political theory and environmental studies.

Full Product Details

Author:   Tim Hayward
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Imprint:   Polity Press
Dimensions:   Width: 16.10cm , Height: 2.00cm , Length: 23.90cm
Weight:   0.482kg
ISBN:  

9780745618081

ISBN 10:   0745618081
Pages:   208
Publication Date:   09 December 1998
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Undergraduate ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
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Table of Contents

Introduction. 1. Ecological Values and Human Interests. Part I: Critique: Two Dogmas of Ecologism:. 2. Intrinsic Value in Nature: Analysis and Critique of a Misleading Idea. 3. Anthropocentrism: A Misunderstood Problem. Part II: Reconstruction: Human Interests and Ecological Values:. 4. The Enlightenment of Self-Interest. 5. Human Interests and Environmental Values. 6. Human Self-respect and Respect for Nonhumans. Part III: Conclusion:. 7. Political Theory for a Sustainable Polity. Notes. Bibliography. Index.

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Author Information

Tim Hayward is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics at the University of Edinburgh.

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