Paul Taylor (philosopher)

Last updated

Paul W. Taylor (November 19, 1923 – October 14, 2015) was a philosopher best known for his work in the field of environmental ethics. His theory of biocentric egalitarianism, related to but not identical with deep ecology, was expounded in his 1986 book Respect for Nature: A Theory of Environmental Ethics, and is regularly taught in university courses on environmental ethics.

Philosophy intellectual and/or logical study of general and fundamental problems

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Such questions are often posed as problems to be studied or resolved. The term was probably coined by Pythagoras. Philosophical methods include questioning, critical discussion, rational argument, and systematic presentation. Classic philosophical questions include: Is it possible to know anything and to prove it? What is most real? Philosophers also pose more practical and concrete questions such as: Is there a best way to live? Is it better to be just or unjust? Do humans have free will?

Environmental ethics is the part of environmental philosophy which considers extending the traditional boundaries of ethics from solely including humans to including the non-human world. It exerts influence on a large range of disciplines including environmental law, environmental sociology, ecotheology, ecological economics, ecology and environmental geography.

Biocentrism, in a political and ecological sense, as well as literally, is an ethical point of view that extends inherent value to all living things. It is an understanding of how the earth works, particularly as it relates to biodiversity. It stands in contrast to anthropocentrism, which centers on the value of humans. The related ecocentrism extends inherent value to the whole of nature.

Contents

Taylor's Respect for Nature is widely considered one of the fullest and most sophisticated defenses of a life-centered (biocentric) approach to nature. In that work, Taylor agrees with biocentrists that all living things, both plants and animals, have inherent value and deserve moral concern and consideration. More radically, he denies human superiority and argues that all living things have equal inherent value and moral worth. Recognizing that human interests inevitably conflict with the interests of plants and animals, Taylor carefully lays out and defends a variety of priority principles for the fair resolution of such conflicts.

Taylor taught philosophy for four decades at Brooklyn College, City University of New York and was professor emeritus there at the time of his death.

Brooklyn College senior college of the City University of New York, located in Brooklyn

Brooklyn College is a college of the City University of New York, located in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City.

Bibliography

See also


Related Research Articles

September 4 is the 247th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. 118 days remain until the end of the year.

David or Dave Brown may refer to:

John Taylor, Johnny Taylor or similar may refer to:

Paul Williams may refer to:

David Jones may refer to:

Charles, Charlie, or Chuck Taylor may refer to:

Lester is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname, first found in Cheshire, England. It originated from an original family living in Leicester, England, and is derived from the concatenation of an Old English tribal name "Ligore" and the Old English word ceaster meaning "Roman town or walled city".

Ian Smith (1919–2007) was the Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 1964 to 1979.

Michael Smith or Mike Smith may refer to:

Paul Johnson may refer to:

David or Dave Wilson may refer to:

Michael or Mike Davis may refer to:

Holmes is an English-language surname with several origins.

Clive is a masculine given name and surname which may refer to:

Brett derives from a Middle English surname meaning "Briton" or "Breton", referring to the Celtic people of Britain and Brittany, France. Brette can be a feminine name.

Thomas is a common surname of English, Welsh, Scottish, French, German, Dutch, and Danish origin.

Ray is a masculine given name and short form (hypocorism) of Raymond, and may refer to:

Walters is a surname of English origin. It used to denote "Son of Walter", derived from the given name Walter, which was introduced into England and Wales about the time of the Norman Conquest. The name "Walter" originates from the Old German wald ("rule") + heri ("warrior").