In contrast to traditional ethics courses, which focus narrowly on the rights and welfare of human beings, this course is concerned with ethical issues about the relationships of human beings to animals and the broader natural environment. Some examples of questions that could be discussed in this course are as follows: Should human consumption be sharply restricted in order to prevent irreversible environmental degradation? Do animals have rights? Why should we preserve species and promote biodiversity? Why should we value wilderness? Does nature have intrinsic value? Prerequisites: One course in philosophy and English 120.

The instructor is happy to answer questions, which may be sent to the following e-mail address: john.lango@hunter.cuny.edu

Required readings:

Robin Attfield, Environmental Ethics. Polity Press. $26.95. ISBN-13: 9780745627380. Additional required readings will be assigned during the course of the semester.