Spectrum of Environmental Philosophies
Note: There are really many dimensions that differentiate the schools of thought listed here, so arraying them in any one is misleading. If there is one (imperfect) dimension underlying the listing here, it is from more holistic, non-anthropocentric, and 'deep' or cultural at the top of the list, to more individual, anthropocentric, and 'shallow' or reform-oriented toward the bottom.
Ecopsychology / Spiritualism
Human-nature unity
Experience & alleviate earth's suffering
Deep Ecology / Land Ethic
Biospheric egalitarianism in principle
Rejection of man-in-env. image
Relational, total-field image
Decentralization
Spiritual/Cultural Ecofeminism
Power dimensions of gender relations root of env. problems
Criticism of patriarchal dominator society
Women closer to nature
Social Ecology
Anti-hierarchy & domination
Organic view of nature
Wilderness Preservation / Gaia
Inherent value in ecological systems
"New Conservation"
Conservation biology as value-oriented applied science
Cultural integration of people into landscape
Emphasis on creative management to preserve "big wilderness"
Animal Rights
Inherent value in individual nonhuman animal lives
Stewardship
Humans have special role, but within sacred creation
Aesthetic values
Nature appreciated for its non-humanness
Environmental Justice
Social & racial equity in environmental costs and benefits
Eco-Socialism
"Nature" a social construction
Institutional analysis, collective action
Embraces technological progress
Political/Economic Liberal Ecofeminism
Women excluded from power in env. solutions & institutions
Gender equity in env. costs and benefits
Liberal Reform Environmentalism
Legislative, judicial, technological changes
Disjointed incrementalism (muddling - one step/problem at a time, then deal with unintended consequences)
Liberal democratic framework tempers radical values
Mitigative vs. preventative approaches
Resource Conservation
Anthropocentric utilitarianism
Future oriented
Neoclassical Economic Reform
Accept traditional abstractions of economics
Accept existing preferences
Governmental intervention
Tweak existing system: modify discount rates, pricing mechanisms, internalize externalities, etc.
Technological Optimism
Human ingenuity will triumph
Faith in complete substitutability of natural capital
Free-Market Environmentalism
Libertarian political (individualistic) values
Limitation of government
Institution of private property can solve env. problems