Relational Agency and Environmental Ethics: A Journey beyond Humanism as We Know It

Relational Agency and Environmental Ethics: A Journey Beyond Humanism as We Know It argues that the concept of moral agency embedded in modern humanist ethics prevents ethics from efficiently supporting a sustainability transition. Suvielise Nurmi proposes an agential shift resting on a relational concept of agency, combining ecofeminist and evolutionary criticisms of modernism with interdisciplinary discussions to bring environmental relationships to the core of ethical discourse.

Format: Hardback
Length: 316 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

Ethics plays a limited role in addressing the most pressing global challenges due to the limitations of its traditional humanist framework. In her book, "Relational Agency and Environmental Ethics: A Journey Beyond Humanism as We Know It," Suvielise Nurmi delves into the ways in which the concept of moral agency embedded in modern humanist ethics, despite its emphasis on individual responsibility, falls short in effectively supporting a sustainability transition. The modernist notion of agency, characterized by conceptual dichotomies such as moral agency versus human nature, mind versus body, reason versus emotion, and knowledge versus will, needs to be revised to encompass a more holistic understanding of human beings and their relationships with the environment.

Nurmi proposes an agential shift that rests on a relational concept of agency. This shift integrates ecofeminist and evolutionary critiques of modernism with interdisciplinary discussions involving philosophy of mind, cognitive science, anthropology, social ontology, and developmental biology and psychology. By adopting a relational perspective, Nurmi argues that the dilemma of ethical disengagement from environmental concerns can be resolved. She posits that environmental responsibilities can be justified as responsibilities for one's relationally considered agency.

Through this lens, Nurmi challenges the notion of a separate ethics from environmental ethics, advocating for a unified approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of all beings and their relationship with the natural world. She suggests that a shift towards a more relational understanding of agency can empower individuals to take meaningful action towards environmental sustainability and promote a more harmonious and resilient relationship between humans and the planet.

In conclusion, "Relational Agency and Environmental Ethics" offers a thought-provoking exploration of the limitations of traditional humanist ethics and proposes a transformative approach that recognizes the agency of individuals within a relational context. By integrating diverse disciplines and adopting a holistic perspective, Nurmi provides a roadmap for addressing the most pressing global challenges and fostering a sustainable future for all.

Weight: 628g
Dimension: 159 x 236 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666904543