Title
Speaking of forms of life : the language of conservation / Claudio Campagna, Daniel Guevara.
ISBN
9783031345340 (electronic bk.)
3031345347 (electronic bk.)
3031345339
9783031345333
Published
Cham, Switzerland : Springer, 2023.
Language
English
Description
1 online resource (249 pages) : illustrations (colour).
Other Standard Identifiers
10.1007/978-3-031-34534-0 doi
Call Number
S936
Dewey Decimal Classification
333.95/16
Summary
Humans pose an unprecedented threat to life in all its great diversity of forms. The human-induced extinction rate has been compared to mass extinctions of the past. But this language masks the fact that the crisis is due to voluntary, and thus, avoidable choices and actions. Speaking of Forms of Life shows that at the root of this crisis is the tragic inadequacy of the language predominantly used to represent and address what we are doing, including the language of sustainable development, rights for animals and the rest of nature, their intrinsic value, and conservation of species as populations. This talk alienates us from the other living things, from what they actually are, have and do, and it perpetuates the harm and loss. Campagna and Guevara compellingly argue, on rigorous but accessible grounds, that there is an alternative language to guide conservation, in confronting the radically urgent, ethical issues it faces. This is a language with which we are all familiar, mastered by naturalists, from Aristotle to Audubon. It articulates the primary value in life and the standard that must guide how human beings should live, as one form of life, among countless others. This book is a homecoming for those who practice conservation in order to, above all else, secure the ability of living things to satisfy the necessities of their form of life. "This is an essential book for anyone who cares about conservation and is concerned about the frightening pace of extinctions. The great theme of the book is the importance of the language in which we think and talk about living beings. Daniel Guevara and Claudio Campagna make available for conservationists the ground-breaking work of Philippa Foot and Michael Thompson on natural goodness and on our thought about living beings. They show how it can be brought to bear on the threats that confront conservation and on disputes that may seem irresolvable. I recommend Speaking of Forms of Life as strongly as I can. Cora Diamond, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor Emerita of Philosophy, Professor of Law, and University Professor, University of Virginia Our current conservation language is shot through with economic platitudes that dont explain anyones real motives for conserving biodiversity. Campagna and Guevaras new book lays out a convincing alternative, grounding conservation goals in the objective goodness of lifes many ways of flourishing. Speaking of Forms of Life is inspiring, informative, well-grounded in the relevant philosophy and conservation literatures but never pedantic. Both activists and thinkers will find much of value in Speaking of Forms of Life. Philip Cafaro, Professor of Philosophy, Colorado State University Speaking of Forms of Life helps us confront the fact that language often obscures, rather than facilitates, our understanding of living things. Our language reflects past misperceptions, current ignorance, and our shockingly limited intellectual ability to comprehend where we are in space and time, and who we are with on this strange planet with its soap-bubble coating of life. The language in use has abetted, and accelerated the catastrophic course we daily continue to choose. Speaking of Forms of Life shows us why and how this must change. Its a crucial revelation that we must heed, because our species alone can consider changing courseand our species alone must do so. Carl Safina, MacArthur Fellow Carl Safina Research Chair for Nature and Humanity, Stony Brook University Our biosphere is a miracle. Communicating the sense of awe and wonder that it instills in many of us is essential to shift from wanton destruction of our natural world for short term economic profit to health and prosperity for all creatures - including us humans. Speaking of Forms of Life is the first book that unveils how the way we speak to each other affects the way we value and care for our planet. An essential read for everyone who cares about the future of nature and humanity. Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and Hubbard Medalist.
Access Note
Access limited to authorized users.
Source of Description
Description based on print version record.
Series
Fascinating life sciences.
Chapter 1. Uncovering Grammars
Chapter 2. About the Authors
Chapter 3. The Error of Wuhan
Chapter 4
Provoking Extinctions
Chapter 5. Limits of Language
Chapter 6. Glossaries, Euphemisms, Metaphors, Analogies and Catchy Words
Chapter 7. Introduction to the Language of Extinction
Chapter 8
Represent-Evaluate
Chapter 9. Standards
Chapter 10. The Unique Logic of Life
Chapter 11. The Form-Bearer Unity
Chapter 12. From Natural Goodness to Moral Goodness
Chapter 13. The Value in Life
Chapter 14. The Value of Consciousness
Chapter 15. Life Forms, Artifacts, and in Between
Chapter 16. Pluralism
Chapter 17. Species and Forms of Life
Chapter 18. Conservation Without Life Forms
Chapter 19. A Bridge from Natural Goodness to Morality
Chapter 20. Natural Goodness Encompasses Moral Goodness
Chapter 21. Agent, Action, and Modalities of Action
Chapter 22. Rationality and the Good
Chapter 23. Practicing the Conservation of Life Forms
Chapter 24. Contrasting Life Form Conservation with Alternatives
Chapter 25. Leaving Things as They Were
Chapter 26. Objections and Misunderstandings.
