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Naturalizing Callicott

Date

2002

Authors

Rolston, Holmes, 1932-, author
State University of New York Press, publisher

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Volume Title

Abstract

In environmental philosophy, J. Baird Callicott is a doubtful guide; indeed he has gotten himself lost. He cannot find values in nature, not intrinsically. Indeed, at times he cannot find nature at all, only a nature commingled with culture. So, paradoxically, we need to get Callicott, though he thinks of himself as a naturalist, really naturalized. I cannot follow him in his arguments (1) about nature and culture, (2) about intrinsic natural value, and (3) about wilderness. He so resolutely opposes dichotomizing humans and nature that he cannot find any integrity for nature on its own. He remains, for a would-be naturalist, surprisingly humanistic--with people projecting their values onto nature, with people managing their landscapes. This is half the truth. But it is not the whole truth.

Description

Includes bibliographical references (pages 121-122).

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Subject

naturalism
Callicott, J. Baird
anthropogenic value
value in nature
nature and culture
natural values
projected values
wilderness

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