Heidegger, environmental ethics, and the metaphysics of nature: inhabiting the earth in a technological age

Thesis/Dissertation · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5395963

Foltz, B V

Previous studies of philosophical problems concerning the human disruption and destruction of the natural environment have tended to presuppose (a) that the problems themselves are adequately defined by the natural sciences, and (b) that the proper philosophical approach is by means of an ethics that restricts itself to determining the character and limits of moral obligation. This dissertation (a) argues that modern natural science, which is expected to define the problem of an environmental crisis, itself employs a concept of nature, derived from the metaphysical tradition, that is generative of the very problems to be resolved; (b) develops, on the basis of Heidegger's rethinking of the traditional question of being, a more adequate understanding of nature; and (c) shows that the resolution of these problems can best be accomplished by means of a more broadly conceived ethics that closes the breach between theory and praxis by articulating an appropriate manner of comportment toward entities as a whole (and not soley human, nor even sentient, entities) which displays an integration of thought and action, and which Heidegger calls inhabitation or dwelling.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5395963
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
290500 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Research
Development
Demonstration
& Commercialization
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ETHICAL ASPECTS
NATURE RESERVES
RESOURCES
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION