Paul Ricoeur and Environmental Philosophy - (Studies in the Thought of Paul Ricoeur) by David Utsler (Hardcover)

About the Book

Paul Ricoeur and Environmental Philosophy expands the scope of Ricoeur's hermeneutics to issues of environmental philosophy and discusses the ways in which Ricoeur's hermeneutics has the potential to restructure the discourse and dialogue surrounding environmental issues.

Book Synopsis

Paul Ricoeur and Environmental Philosophy expands the scope of Ricoeur's philosophy, especially his hermeneutics, to issues of environmental philosophy and our contemporary environmental crisis. David Utsler argues that, although Ricoeur himself was not an environmental philosopher, his work provides frameworks to reconsider our way of being-in-the-world as it pertains to our relationship with the environment. The unprecendented environmental crisis can be thought of as the result of interpretations--bad ones--and the crisis we now face requires the task of new and creative interpretation. This book discusses the ways in which Ricoeur's hermeneutics has the potential to restructure the discourse and dialogue surrounding environmental issues, and to creatively mediate the many conflicting interpretations that call for resolution. Utsler does not claim this text to be a comprehensive application of Ricoeur's work to environmental philosophy, as he believes there is still a great deal more of Ricoeur's philosophy from which to draw to enrich the growing field of environmental hermeneutics.

Review Quotes

This book is an excellent introductory treatment of the relevance of Paul Ricoeur to environmental philosophy. It succeeds as an introduction to environmental philosophy for Ricoeur scholars as well as an introduction to Ricoeur for environmental philosophers. There are several books and essay collections on the hermeneutical approach to environmental philosophy, so this makes a valuable contribution to that field by focusing specifically on Ricoeur.

About the Author

David Utsler teaches philosophy at North Central Texas College.