环境伦理学的过程哲学根源:怀特海、利奥波德与大地伦理

Unearthing the process roots of environment ethics:Whitehead,Leopold,and the Land Ethic

怀特海与环境伦理学的起源正确鉴定一种观念或者一场运动的产生年代,不可避免地会带有某种程度的武断。种种思想在成为有先见之明学者的著作中的讨论主题之前,往往就已经“流行”了数十年。环境伦理学也是如此。人们可以正确地指出上千年来写作了有关环境问题的哲学家、神秘主义者和诗人。而且,生态危机的历史根源无疑是十分深远的。然而,根据目前的理解,环境伦理学产生于20世纪的后三分之一时期。

The aim of this essay is twofold.First,the author examines the role of Alfred North Whitehead and process thinkers in bringing about and shaping the field of environmental ethics.I show the important role Whitehead and Whiteheadian scholars,such as John Cobb Jr.and Charles Hartshorne,played in the beginning and development of the field.It is believed that Aldo Leopold’s“Land Ethic”might have been influenced by Whitehead,though all these might regretfully have been forgotten.Second,in light of the genealogy above,the author invite process scholars to reconsider their generally reluctant reception of Aldo Leopold and the Land Ethic.The article shows us that a version of land ethic grounded in a process axiology could make a significant contribution to contemporary environmental thought.