ABSTRACT
This chapter establishes the book’s theoretical framework. Here, the concept of nature is discussed and, like Robyn Eckersley, an ecocentric view on nature is defended. The chapter also compares Eckersley’s and John S. Dryzek’s accounts of ecological democracy. Similar to ecophenomenology, deep ecology, and animism, ecocentrism assumes that both organic and inorganic parts of nature have an intrinsic moral value and should be protected thereof. Moreover, this chapter compares Joel Whitebook’s and Axel Honneth’s approach to the problem of nature. Honneth’s version of critical theory is problematic due to its anthropocentrism and therefore its lack of relevance to the ecocrisis. In contrast, Whitebookian ecocentrism is more promising. Finally, the chapter compares Freya Mathews’ and Roy Bhaskar’s notions of metaphysical realism. Here, by combining their insights, the concept of critical-realist ecology is coined as a rewarding metaphysical framing of ecological democracy.
