Loving Nature: Towards an Ecology of Emotion / Edition 1

by Kay Milton

Overview

As the full effects of human activity on Earth's life-support systems are revealed by science, the question of whether we can change, fundamentally, our relationship with nature becomes increasingly urgent. Just as important as an understanding of our environment, is an understanding of ourselves, of the kinds of beings we are and why we act as we do. In Loving Nature Kay Milton considers why some people in Western societies grow up to be nature lovers, actively concerned about the welfare and future of plants, animals, ecosystems and nature in general, while others seem indifferent or intent on destroying these things. Drawing on findings and ideas from anthropology, psychology, cognitive science and philosophy, the author discusses how we come to understand nature as we do, and above all, how we develop emotional commitments to it. Anthropologists, in recent years, have tended to suggest that our understanding of the world is shaped solely by the culture in which we live. Controversially Kay Milton argues that it is shaped by direct experience in which emotion plays an essential role. The author argues that the conventional opposition between emotion and rationality in western culture is a myth. The effect of this myth has been to support a market economy which systematically destroys nature, and to exclude from public decision making the kinds of emotional attachments that support more environmentally sensitive ways of living. A better understanding of ourselves, as fundamentally emotional beings, could give such ways of living the respect they need.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415253543
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/31/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Kay Milton

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements, Introduction, 1. Science and religion, 2. The naturalness of ideas, 3. Knowing nature through experience, 4. Enjoying nature, 5. Identifying with nature, 6. Valuing nature: meaning, emotion and the sacred, 7. Protecting nature: wildness, diversity and personhood, 8. Protecting nature: science and the sacred, Conclusion, Notes, References, Index

Editorial Reviews

'This is a deeply intelligent and rewarding book. It is lucidly written, blessedly free of academic preening, and focused on important social issues. Loving Nature provides some inspirational ideas to disentangle the links between environment, emotion and political performances.' – Monica Degen, Open University

From the Publisher