Is There an Ecological Ethic?

work by Rolston III

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July 23, 2026

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Holmes Rolston III, a philosopher and theologian, pioneered environmental ethics. His article, "Is There an Ecological Ethic?", challenged the notion that nature is devoid of value, arguing that all life deserves moral consideration. This perspective, known as biocentrism, posits that life itself is the non-arbitrary criterion for moral standing.12

Rolston's work suggests that nature possesses intrinsic value, not just instrumental value for humans. This ethical framework extends moral consideration beyond humanity to include all living beings, advocating for a reverence for life. This contrasts with anthropocentric views, which prioritize human interests above all else.12

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Holmes Rolston III
Rolston’s article “Is There an Ecological Ethic?” was rejected by several journals before it was finally published in Ethics in 1975. It was the first article in a major philosophical journal to challenge the idea that nature is value-free and that all values stem from human perspectives;…
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Rolston’s article “Is There an Ecological Ethic?” was rejected by several journals before it was finally published in Ethics in 1975. It was the first article in a major philosophical journal to challenge the idea that nature is value-free and that all values stem from human perspectives;…
Read More