The thou of nature : religious naturalism and reverence for sentient life / Donald A. Crosby.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Crosby, Donald A.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Human ecology--Religious aspects.

Human ecology.

Philosophy of nature.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (182 p.)

Place of Publication:

Albany : SUNY Press, c2013.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Humans share the earth with nonhuman animals who are also capable of conscious experience and awareness. Arguing that we should develop an I-thou, not an I-it, relationship with other sentient beings, Donald A. Crosby adds a new perspective to the current debates on human/animal relations and animal rights—that of religious naturalism. Religion of Nature holds that the natural world is the only world and that there is no supernatural animus or law behind it. From this vantage point, our fellow thous are entitled to more than merely moral treatment: protection and enhancement of their continuing well-being deserves to be a central focus of religious reverence, care, and commitment as well. A set of presumptive natural rights for nonhuman animals is proposed and conflicts in applying these rights are acknowledged and considered. A wide range of situations involving humans and nonhuman animals are discussed, including hunting and fishing; eating and wearing; circuses, rodeos, zoos, and aquariums; scientific experimentation; and the threats of human technology and population growth.

Contents:

Religious naturalism and three scientific revolutions: Introduction

The cosmological revolution

The evolutionary revolution

The ecological revolution

Inwardness and awareness in nature: Introduction

Inwardness of life and inwardness of mind

Mind and consciousness in nature

The range of conscious awareness on earth

Presumptive rights and conflicts of rights: Introduction

Rs of the thou of nature

A scheme of presumptive natural rights

A fourth R of the thou of nature

Conflicts of rights

Hunting and fishing : Introduction

Hunting

Fishing

Responses to the charge of impractical idealism

Eating and wearing: Introduction

Using animals for food

The vegetarian response

Using animals for apparel and other purposes

Other areas of responsibility and concern: Introduction

Experimenting on animals

Rodeos, circuses, zoos, and aquariums

Endangered species and despoliations of natural environments

The human population explosion

The threat of global climate change

A new moral and religious consciousness: Introduction

Empowerment in religion of nature

Objections and replies

Principles and prescriptions.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781461919469

1461919460

9781438446714

1438446713

OCLC:

828869689