Proposal: A critique of modern environmentalist theory.
There are a plethora of environmentalist theories and related philosophies, from Deep Ecology to EcoFeminism, groups ranging from Earth First! to Wise Use (arguably an environmentalist group- but begging the definition of environmentalist). These theories have filtered down into the popular conciousness in a vague manner such that there seems to be a notion that to conserve is good, to polute is
bad, floating within a very weak or sometimes non-existant theorectical framework. There seems to be an interest and a need for some sort of address- to attempt to understand what it is that environmentalist theories are about, how we can evaluate them, and how we can integrate them into our lives.. My vague outline is as follows:
A cataloging of major environmentalist theories.
Probalby further broken down along a spectrum of Deep Ecology to conservationist, though the nature of the spectrum will have to be further defined in progress. Included here may be some evaluation of internal consistancy and logic.
A section on reasons for not being an environmentalist, and non traditional environmentalist groups such as Wise Use.
Again included here may be some evaluation of internal consistancy and logic. This section of course necesitates some sort of definition of what it is to be an environmentalist. This is a problem that I think
will be addressed in depth within this particular section. Though perhaps it will be more appropriate to address this in an introductory section, or a chapter unto itself after the introduction.
A section on suggestions for synthesis
I don't know if this is a new theory section, or if this is a suggestion for being aware of varying approaches and using the best theoretical approach for the particular context. I don't even know for sure what I mean by that. This is I guess a section on perhaps what we can draw from these various theories about our relationship with nature, and ways of thinking about that relationship.
Next Article
Previous Article
Return to Topic Menu