Humans, Nature, and Democracy
A key interest of the Center is to revitalize and strengthen the philosophical and ethical foundations of the conservation movement in the United States and around the world. Engaged activity oriented toward politics, lobbying, and policy reform are vital to the causes of conservation and environmentalism, to be sure. But it is no less important to nurture the traditions, values, and ideals that stand behind these movements for the purposes of clarification, strategic planning, civic education, and so that the next generation of conservation scientists and citizens devoted to the preservation, health, and resiliency of human and natural communities can be reared.
Renewing and revitalizing the “natural humanities” or environmental humanities will be the next focus of this project. In environmental studies, a focus on the humanities disciplines has lagged behind a focus on the scientific disciplines. What should the environmental humanities look like? This project is in collaboration with the Graduate Faculty of the New School University.