Ethics for the Coming Storm: Climate Change and Jewish Thought

In Ethics for the Coming Storm, Laurie Zoloth argues that our debates about environmental issues have been driven by the language of economics and political power, and have become deeply divisive and symbolic. She turns to the language of Scripture, the Talmud, and philosophy of Judaism to offer a different kind of argument for change, which addresses the existential crisis we now face. The book uses a careful attention to rabbinic and philosophical sources to provide a novel framework through which we can reassess the choices we make that affect our climate, environment, and social structures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 10 July 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In her book Ethics for the Coming Storm, Laurie Zoloth delves into the profound question of our existence on Earth, surrounded by the elements of air, light, and water, while consciously and carelessly abusing the environment we inhabit. The scarcity of resources and the threat to the well-being and basic health of our neighbors loom large, casting a shadow over our existence. Zoloth argues that our current debates on environmental issues have been dominated by the language of economics and political power, leading to divisions and symbolic representations that hinder meaningful change. This discourse, she claims, has failed to alter the human behavior and political and economic structures required to address the pressing issue of global warming head-on.

Determined to find a different path, Zoloth turns to the rich tapestry of Jewish thought, drawing upon the language of Scripture, the Talmud, and philosophy. She contends that these traditions offer a unique perspective and argument for the necessary transformation. According to Zoloth, the traditions, histories, and texts of Jewish thought address the very existential crisis we face today, enriching our public discourse and providing us with a deeper understanding of what actions we can take and who we can become.

Ethics for the Coming Storm employs a meticulous examination of rabbinic and philosophical sources in Jewish thought to construct a novel framework for reassessing our choices that impact our climate, environment, and social structures. Through this lens, Zoloth invites us to contemplate the ethical dimensions of our actions and to explore new possibilities for a sustainable and just future. By embracing the wisdom of Jewish thought, we can embark on a journey of transformation and renewal, striving to create a world that balances the needs of humanity with the delicate balance of our natural world.

Weight: 512g
Dimension: 242 x 160 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197661345