ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the evolution of the land ethic re-presented by J. Baird Callicott under pressure from the charge of misanthropy and ecofascism. It traces the development of Callicott's own ethical system, and examines its most current phase both in itself and in relation to his other theoretical commitments, including his particular version of moral monism, and his communitarian critique of egalitarianism. The chapter examines Callicott's three-order ethical system 1999-2001 in detail, both in itself and in relation to his other theoretical commitments, including his defense of the land ethic against the charge of ecofascism, his particular version of moral monism, and his communitarian critique of egalitarianism. It concludes that Callicott’s communitarianism is by itself insufficient to fund an adequate environmental ethic, and that for the sake of self-consistency he should either discard his moral monism or else further revise his ethical system.
