The Philosophy of Ecology: From Science to Synthesis

by David R. Keller (Editor)

This is the first introductory anthology on the philosophy of ecology edited by an ecologist and a philosopher. It illustrates the range of philosophical approaches available to ecologists and provides a basis for understanding the thinking on which many of today's environmental ideas are founded. Collectively, these seminal readings make a powerful statement on the value of ecological knowledge and thinking in alleviating the many problems of modern industrial civilization.

Issues covered
the challenges of defining scientific ecology, tracing its genealogy, and distinguishing the science from various forms of "ecological-like" thinking
the ontology of ecological entities and processes
selected concepts of community, stability, diversity, and niche
the methodology of ecology (rationalism and empiricism, reductionism and holism)
the significance of evolutionary law for ecological science

Genres: Philosophy, Environment

392 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2000

Reviews

[Douglas]

Might be better titled "An Anthology of the History of the Philosophy of Ecology." The editing of the individual articles-cum-chapters is a bit heavy. Most are old, even in 2000 when this book appeared. The most interesting for me are the dueling Simberloff and Levins & Lewontin articles from Synthése in 1980, which are better read in their entirety. Bergandi's analysis of changes in Odum's Fundamentals of Ecology is interesting, while the inclusion of the n-th reprinting of the spandrels article is truly annoying.

The intro and the prefaces to the parts are useful, if light. I'm just starting to read about what I hope is the current philosophy of ecology and this was not a good introduction.