ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book covers the main debates in environmental philosophy, it has been the intention in writing it to provide a more general introduction to philosophy. It asks the moral status and value of animals, seeing how far beyond self-interest our moral capacities will take us. The book explores the human beings themselves never far from the focus of all philosophical enquiries have a puzzling status. It also explores idea and then subjects it to investigation. It examines the arguments seeing whether they stand up to rational scrutiny. It discusses the possibility of basing value and ethics on a purely secular foundation. Finally, it turns to some underexamined parts of environmental philosophy, asking to what extent our troubles are related to the consumer society and the pressures it generates.
