The Environment: Between Theory and Practice

Rating:
Summary: Putting the "appiled" back in environmental philosophy
Review: The Environment: Between Theory and Practice is a work that philosophers, political scientists, sociologists, and environmentalists will find challenging, refreshing, and useful. Along with engaging chapters on liberalism, communitarianism, socialism, place, and the connection between philosophical theory and environmental practice, de-Shalit also undertakes an examination of the concept of the 'environment' and offers a critique of purely political uses of the term, what he calls "conceptual instrumentalism" (pp.38-41). Speaking from my own experience teaching chapters from this book in the classroom, and navigating numerous student questions and comments, de-Shalit's ideas are sure to generate discussion on the practical necessities of applying the theory environmental philosophers produce, on sharpening our use of concepts, and on understanding the political requirements of the philosophical ideas that make up the backdrop of the environmental movement. Largely because of its ability to provoke this type of discussion, but also because of its timely consideration of how environmental philosophy and environmental politics and policy can and ought to be bridged, I recommend this book for use by not only environmental and political theorists, environmental professionals and practitioners, and environmental activists, but also for use in lower and upper level university courses in environmental studies, environmental ethics, environmental policy and environmental politics.