Historical foundations of American environmental attitudes
The author rejects John Passmore's claim that American environmental attitudes are incompatible with Western traditions and Western civilization (they arose out of a Romantic transvaluation of values in the 18th and 19th centuries, and today are defensible only in terms of antiscientific nature mysticism and Oriental religions), arguing that these attitudes developed out of an intricate interplay between Western science and art over the last three centuries, and are, therefore, of Western, not Eastern, origin. Moreover, they are a part of scientific and aesthetic changes so broad and fundamental that, despite Passmore's prediction that they are unlikely to survive into the 21st century, they cannot be regarded lightly as a passing fad, and probably have already found a permanent place in Western thought and values. 67 references.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque
- OSTI ID:
- 5444707
- Journal Information:
- Environ. Ethics; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Ethics; (United States) Vol. 1:3; ISSN ENETD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
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BEHAVIOR
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ETHICS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
PUBLIC OPINION
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
SOCIOLOGY
VALUES