Normative Concepts in Ecology and Their Consequences for Enviromental Policy

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A philosopher who specializes in studies of science policy and environmental ethics and an ecologist who studies plant-animal-habitat interactions will investigate two foundational concepts in ecology: balance of nature and community. The goal is to understand (1) the roles of evaluative assumptions in these concepts, (2) how these assumptions may affect the interpretations and conclusions ecologists draw from their work, and (3) the moral justifiability of the support that may thereby be given to specific policies regarding environmental protection. Meeting weekly, the two investigators will analyze 30 key ecological works. The ecologist has primary responsibility for the analysis of the two concepts; the philosopher, for the ethical analysis. Drafts of their work will be commented on by a group including several ecologists and historians, an expert in environmental policy and a philosopher specializing in ethics and environmental policy. During the course of the project, several graduate seminars in ecology will also examine these issues. Results will include a co- authored manuscript examining the concepts and their presuppositions, the practical consequences of using them in environmental policymaking, and possible answers to questions of the moral justification for their use. This project will provide an important impetus to the development of adequate analyses of theoretical and normative implications of ecological science. The investigators are both exceptionally well- qualified; graduate studies are involved; institutional support is very good. This is a good example of the kind of cross-disciplinary collaborative research EVS should encourage. Results are likely to be provocative and widely disseminated. Costs are very reasonable. Total support in the amount of $72,044 is recommended, with $35,404 to be awarded in this fiscal year.