Philosophy and Biodiversity

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511498527

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.

'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.'

Source: Environmental Values

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi
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Contents
pp vii-viii
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List of Figures and Tables
pp ix-x
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List of Contributors
pp xi-xiv
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Acknowledgements
pp xv-xvi
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Philosophy and Biodiversity
pp xvii-xviii
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Biodiversity Considered Philosophically
pp 1-24
An Introduction
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Part I - USING ‘BIODIVERSITY’
pp 25-26
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1 - The Phenomenon of Biodiversity
pp 27-53
- By Julia Koricheva, Docent in Ecology and an Academy Research Fellow University of Turku, Finland, Helena Siipi, Graduate student in philosophy University of Turku, Finland
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2 - Making the Biodiversity Crisis Tractable
pp 54-82
A Process Perspective
- By Yrjö Haila, Professor of Environmental Policy University of Tampere
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Part II - UNDERSTANDING BIODIVERSITY
pp 83-84
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3 - Plato on Diversity and Stability in Nature
pp 85-100
- By Juhani Pietarinen, Professor Emeritus of Practical Philosophy University of Turku, Finland
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4 - Biodiversity, Darwin, and the Fossil Record
pp 101-118
- By Kim Cuddington, Assistant Professor Ohio University in the Department of Biological Sciences and Quantitative Biology Institute, Michael Ruse, Professor of Philosophy Florida State University; Fellow of the Royal Society Canada
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5 - Biological Diversity, Ecological Stability, and Downward Causation
pp 119-130
- By Gregory M. Mikkelson, Assistant professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Philosophy and the School of Environment McGill University in Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Part III - VALUING BIODIVERSITY
pp 131-132
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6 - Jean-Jacques Rousseau
pp 133-151
Philosopher as Botanist
- By Finn Arler, Associate Professor Aalborg University, Denmark
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7 - There Is Biodiversity and Biodiversity
pp 152-171
Implications for Environmental Philosophy
- By Keekok Lee, Visiting chair in philosophy Institute for Environment, Philosophy and Public Policy, University of Lancaster
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8 - Evaluating Biodiversity for Conservation
pp 172-179
A Victim of the Traditional Paradigm
- By Peter R. Hobson, Lecturer in Conservation Management Otley College, Suffolk, Jed Bultitude, Faculty Head of Conservation, Animal Science and Horticulture Otley College, Suffolk
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9 - Limits to Substitutability in Nature Conservation
pp 180-196
- By Dieter Birnbacher, Professor of Philosophy Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Part IV - PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY
pp 197-198
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10 - Biological Diversity and Conservation Policy
pp 199-216
- By Kate Rawles, Lecturer in environmental philosophy Lancaster University, United Kingdom
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11 - Beavers and Biodiversity
pp 217-236
The Ethics of Ecological Restoration
- By Christian Gamborg, Research scientist Danish Forest and Landscape Research Institute and at the Centre for Bioethics and Risk Assessment, Peter Sandøe, Professor in Bioethics Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University in Copenhagen; Director of the interdisciplinary Centre for Bioethics and Risk Assessment
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12 - Differentiated Responsibilities
pp 237-250
- By Robin Attfield, Professor of Philosophy Cardiff University
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Index
pp 251-258
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Philosophy and Biodiversity

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Contents

Frontmatter
pp i-vi

Contents
pp vii-viii

List of Figures and Tables
pp ix-x

List of Contributors
pp xi-xiv

Acknowledgements
pp xv-xvi

Philosophy and Biodiversity
pp xvii-xviii

Biodiversity Considered Philosophically
pp 1-24

Part I - USING ‘BIODIVERSITY’
pp 25-26

1 - The Phenomenon of Biodiversity
pp 27-53

2 - Making the Biodiversity Crisis Tractable
pp 54-82

Part II - UNDERSTANDING BIODIVERSITY
pp 83-84

3 - Plato on Diversity and Stability in Nature
pp 85-100

4 - Biodiversity, Darwin, and the Fossil Record
pp 101-118

5 - Biological Diversity, Ecological Stability, and Downward Causation
pp 119-130

Part III - VALUING BIODIVERSITY
pp 131-132

6 - Jean-Jacques Rousseau
pp 133-151

7 - There Is Biodiversity and Biodiversity
pp 152-171

8 - Evaluating Biodiversity for Conservation
pp 172-179

9 - Limits to Substitutability in Nature Conservation
pp 180-196

Part IV - PROTECTING BIODIVERSITY
pp 197-198

10 - Biological Diversity and Conservation Policy
pp 199-216

11 - Beavers and Biodiversity
pp 217-236

12 - Differentiated Responsibilities
pp 237-250

Index
pp 251-258

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