The Preservation of Species

Description

For all persons seriously concerned about the destruction of natural environments in the contemporary world, this book presents a comprehensive rationale for preserving wild species and ecosystems. Bryan G. Norton appeals most centrally to "transformative value," the power of human contacts with wild species to transform and uplift the human spirit. Until now species preservationists have found a theoretical basis for their policies in the "demand" value of wild species for fulfilling certain narrowly defined human needs or in controversial and badly understood proposals about the "intrinsic" values of species. This work examines such rationales and diverges from them by pointing to new sources of value for wild species: they have worth because they can transform human values. Because of the central role of biological diversity in environmental concerns, the book also provides a fresh perspective on environmental ethics more generally. Why Preserve Natural Variety? is sponsored by the Center for Philosophy and Public Policy at the University of Maryland, as was The Preservation of Species: The Value of Biological Diversity, which was edited by Professor Norton. Originally published in 1986. Dedication Contents Preface Introduction Part I: The Problem Introduction to Part I 1 Species Leave the Ark One by One • Thomas E. Lovejoy 2 The Biology of Human-Caused Extinction • Geerat J. Vermeij 3 Social and Perceptual Factors in the Preservation of Animal Species • Stephen R. Kellert Part II: Values and Objectives Introduction to Part II 4 Human Preferences. Economics. and the Preservation of Species • Alan Randall 5 On the Inherent Danger of Undervaluing Species • Bryan G. Norton 6 On the Intrinsic Value of Nonhuman Species • J. Baird Callicott 7 Philosophical Problems for Environmentalism • Elliott Sober 8 Duties of Preservation • Donald H. Regan Part III: Management Considerations Introduction to Part III 9 On the Susceptibility of Different Species to Extinction: Elementary Instructions for Owners of a World • Lawrence B. Slobodkin 10 Species Protection and Management Decisions in an Uncertain World • Terry L Leitzell 11 Property Rights and Incentives in the Preservation of Species • Robert L. Carlton Epilogue • Bryan G. Norton Notes on Contributors Selected Bibliography Index