Program Overview

Philosophy of the Environment (PHIL*2070)

Course Details

The course code for Philosophy of the Environment is PHIL*2070, with section 01, offered in the Winter 2020 term. The course instructor is John Ferguson.

Course Description

In this course, we examine the ethical and epistemological ways in which humans have tried to understand their place on earth and their relationship with the biota and abiota around them. From nature as hostile to indifferent to nurturing; from utilitarian to deontological to wise-use conservation to intrinsic value preservation; from deep ecology to social ecology; course participants examine ways of understanding the ways in which conceptions of nature have emerged in different social, economic, political, environmental, and temporal conditions and been socially and ecologically functional as well as dysfunctional. We will consider the behavioural, societal, environmental effects and implications of different perspectives on nature from folklore, to natural science to philosophy and ethics.

Academic Structure

The course is part of the following academic departments and schools:

• School of Theatre, English, and Creative Writing
• School of Fine Art and Music
• School of Languages and Literatures
• Department of History
• Department of Philosophy
• Interdisciplinary Programs

Additionally, the university features various centres, institutes, and labs, including:

• Centre for Scottish Studies
• Grounded and Engaged Theory Lab (GET)
• Interdisciplinary Design Lab
• The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation
• The Humanities Interdisciplinary Collaboration Lab (THINC)
• The School of Fine Art & Music Print Study Collection