ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the fundamental concepts and values underlying humans’ relationships to their human and nonhuman environments. Read this chapter if you care about these questions: Should nonhuman animals, plants, species, or ecosystems be valued beyond their usefulness to humans? Should they be valued equally? Are humans separate from or part of nature? What responsibilities do individuals and nations have for responding to environmental problems? What do we owe future generations, if anything? Should we manage nature or attempt to rewild? Also addressed are the topics of deep ecology, ecofeminism, environmental virtue ethics, environmental aesthetics, and environmental justice.
