In Defense of Nature: The Catholic Unity of Environmental, Economic, and Moral Ecology

by Benjamin Wiker

Ecology calls to mind nature “out there”—trees, rivers, oceans, animals, birds, the air, distinct ecosystems. But as Benjamin Wiker argues, an obvious part of nature has been mysteriously left out of the environmental movement: our own nature—human nature, especially its essential moral aspects.

In Defense of Nature shows that while both nature and human nature are equally important, there is a significant obstacle threatening the acceptance of this expanded account of ecology. The Left understands the exquisite, delicate harmony of the natural order, and why environmental pollution is harmful. The Right understands the exquisite, delicate harmony of the human moral order, and why moral pollution is harmful. Each side will tell you how very little a deviation it takes to cause disaster to the natural or to the moral order. But each refuses to see the other’s argument.

In Defense of Nature allows both the Left and the Right to see what the other sees so clearly, and how it all fits together, from toxic landfills and global warming, to internet addiction and human trafficking.

Genres: Nonfiction

252 pages, Hardcover

Published June 16, 2017

About the author

Benjamin Wiker is a writer, teacher, lecturer, husband of one wife, and father of seven children. He has a Ph.D. in Theological Ethics from Vanderbilt University, an M.A. in Religion from Vanderbilt University, and a B.A. in Political Philosophy from Furman University. He has taught at Marquette University, St. Mary's University (MN), and Thomas Aquinas College, and is now a Professor of Political Science and Director of Human Life Studies at Franciscan University, and a Senior Fellow of Franciscan's Veritas Center.

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gave me so much to think about, to REthink, to be more aware of in my daily practice of life and in my estimation of 'stuff'. I see my own focus on caring much more about 'human nature' and not enough about 'nature'. I'd never given thought to how the same blindness causes everyone to see oppression in one area, but not in another, but 'nature' is under attack. This is a book so well worth reading and reflecting on, and one absolutely does not need to be a Catholic at all to be challenged in one's thinking and behavior.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seems like Wiker is one of very few highly educated authors out there who are willing to overlook political agenda to reconcile the world of science and the existence of a Creator. The fact that I think every Christian should read this book (or, of this kind) may be the reason I have fewer Christian friends than the rest of my Christian friends.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wanted to quit this book multiple times. But I had hope it would get better. Hard to follow; depressing with no solutions to lift you back up and read like a textbook. Did not feel the title represented the book's contents.

[Jillian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I really disliked this book and some of the arguments it made, or I was just so bored by my Franciscan Values lecture on it that it shaped my perception of In Defense of Nature. Maybe it's a little bit of both. Not recommended!

[Jill LitNavigator · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a science educator, I end every year sharing parts of this book with my students. We live in a 'throw-away' culture and the moral aspects of human nature should never be ignored when discussing environmental concerns.

[John Hostetler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Makes your think about nature in terms not biased toward the left or the right. I like his chapter on screen pollution.