PHIL 351

Philosophy and the Environment


Please note: this is archived course information from 2019 for PHIL 351.

Description

We explore philosophical questions relating to the environment and our relationships with it, such as the following: Does the non-human natural world have intrinsic value? Is it better to live in a natural world or a virtual world? How should we compare the value of individual organisms with the value of species or ecosystems? If we could bring extinct species back to life, should we do so? How should we think about the possible extinction of our own species? Do current theories in environmental ethics help us to think about the value of possible extraterrestrial life? Do we have owe it to future generations to preserve the environment? What are our moral and epistemic responsibilities regarding climate change, and other environmental issues? What is it responsible to believe about climate change? How should we distribute the costs of dealing with climate change?

For a taste of the issues covered in the course, see:

  • Brennan, Andrew and Lo, Yeuk-Sze, ‘Environmental Ethics’, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
  • Brennan, Andrew and Lo, Yeuk-Sze, Understanding Environmental Philosophy, Acumen, 2010, Chapter 1.
  • Jamieson, D., Reason in a Dark Time, Oxford University Press, 2014, especially chapter 1.
  • Mulgan, T., Ethics for a Broken World: Imagining Philosophy After Catastrophe, Acumen, 2011, Introductory Lecture.

View the course syllabus

Availability 2019

Semester 1

Lecturer(s)

Lecturer(s) Professor Timothy Mulgan

Assessment

Coursework + Exam

Points

PHIL 351: 15 points

Prerequisites

30 points at Stage II in Philosophy or Transnational Cultures and Creative Practice

Restrictions

PHIL 250