How Nature Matters Culture, Identity, and Environmental Value

HOW NATURE MATTERS presents an original theory of nature's value based on part—Lwhole relations. James argues that when natural things have cultural value, they do not always have it as means to valuable ends. In many cases, they have value as parts of valuable wholes — as parts of traditions, for instance, or cultural identities.

James develops his theory by investigating twelve real-world cases, ranging from the veneration of sacred trees to the hunting of dugongs. He also analyses some key policy-related debates and explores various fundamental issues in environmental philosophy, including the question of whether anything on earth qualifies as natural.

This accessible, engagingly written book will be essential reading for all those who wish to understand the moral and metaphysical dimensions of environmental issues.

Simon P. James, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Durham University

Simon P. James is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Durham University. He has written a number of articles on environmental philosophy as well as several books, including Zen Buddhism and Environmental Ethics, The Presence of Nature, and Environmental Philosophy: An Introduction.

Acknowledgements
Introduction
PART 1: Means and Ends
1. Instrumentality and Causation
2. Cultural Ecosystem Services
3. Limitations of the Standard Model
PART 2: Parts and Wholes
4. The Meanings of Things
5. Constitution
6. Value and Disvalue
7. Deep Ecology, Essentialism, Narrative, and Relational Value
PART 3: Wider issues
8. Why Nature?
9. Beyond Value for Us
10. Constitution and Rights
Conclusion
Bibliography