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In defense of ecosystems

Date

1988

Authors

Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, author
New York Botanical Garden, publisher

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Abstract

Ethical concern has focused on the welfare of individuals--persons, animals, plants--but an environmental ethic is not complete without concern for the biotic community. This shift of focus can be defended with prudential reasons. At depth, however, the defense of ecosystems involves more moral courage. Human cultures emerged from Earth's ecosystems, remain tethered to them, and ought to respect creative evolutionary ecosystems, the systems of life.

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Rights Access

Subject

Endangered Species Act
ecosystems
environmental ethics
ecological ethics

Citation

Associated Publications