Nature and the Environment in World Philosophies

Overview & Synopsis

A wide-ranging exploration of a variety of viewpoints on nature and the environment that draws on philosophical traditions around the world. This open access collection explores the variety of ways we can relate to nature and the environment. It gives voice to perspectives often overlooked in mainstream approaches and calls for a new way of thinking about environmental challenges. For centuries European traditions have dominated how we see the world, approaching it in terms of isolation, passiveness, and survival. This collection shows the value of taking a more inclusive approach and makes a timely and much-needed contribution to environmental philosophy in the 21st century. A team of international contributors illustrate the richness of our connection with nature. They cover 19th and early 20th-century Japanese environmental philosophy centered around the figure of Tanaka Shozo; the Indian and African knowledge system; posthumanism and Oromo environmental ethics. By discussing how the relationship between humans and other forms of life is characterized in different cultures, they offer an holistic view of nature, emphasizing interconnectedness, agency and cooperation. The ebook editions of this book are available open access under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence on bloomsburycollections.com. Open access was funded by the University of Antwerp, Belgium.