This article explores the rehabilitation of the ethical dimension of human interactions with nature, using cross-cultural perspectives in Africa. Cross-cultural comparison of indigenous concepts of the relationship between people and nature with contemporary environmental and scientific issues facilitate the rehabilitation, renewal and validation of indigenous environmental ethics. Although increasing attention is being given to the environmental concerns of non-western traditions, most of the related research has centered on Asia, Native American Indians and Australian Aborigines with little attention being paid to (...) Africa. However, this study has confirmed that, like other multi-cultural traditions, African indigenous traditions contain symbolic and ethical messages that are passed from generation to generation in order to ensure respect and compassion for other living creatures. The article shows, however, that not all indigenous knowledge is environmentally friendly. Indigenous and modern environmental ethics alike have something to teach as well as something to learn. (shrink)

Seminal essays on environmental philosophy from Indian, Chinese, and Japanese traditions of thought. Environmental Philosophy in Asian Traditions of Thought provides a welcome sequel to the foundational volume in Asian environmental ethics Nature in Asian Traditions of Thought. That volume, edited by J. Baird Callicott and Roger T. Ames and published in 1989, inaugurated comparative environmental ethics, adding Asian thought on the natural world to the developing field of environmental philosophy. This new book, edited by Callicott and James McRae, includes (...) some of the best articles in environmental philosophy from the perspective of Asian thought written more recently, some of which appear in print for the first time. Leading scholars draw from the Indian, Chinese, and Japanese traditions of thought to provide a normative ethical framework that can address the environmental challenges being faced in the twenty-first century. Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, and Daoist approaches are considered along with those of Zen, Japanese Confucianism, and the contemporary philosophy of the Kyoto School. An investigation of environmental philosophy in these Asian traditions not only challenges Western assumptions, but also provides an understanding of Asian philosophy, religion, and culture that informs contemporary environmental law and policy. J. Baird Callicott is University Distinguished Research Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Texas and author and editor of many books, including Beyond the Land Ethic: More Essays in Environmental Philosophy, also published by SUNY Press. James McRae is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Religion at Westminster College in Missouri. He is the coeditor (with Robert Arp and Adam Barkman) of The Philosophy of Ang Lee. (shrink)

Résumé Cet article étudie la réhabilitation de la dimension éthique dans les interactions de l’homme avec la nature, en utilisant des perspectives multiculturelles en Afrique. Une attention particulière sera accordée aux méthodes à utiliser pour garder viable l’éthique environnementale traditionnelle en Afrique. De nombreux scientifiques ont cherché à l’aveuglette un cadre éthique nouveau pour guider les relations entre les hommes et le reste de la nature. Même si une attention croissante a été accordée aux traditions non-occidentales, les recherches se sont (...) concentrées pour la plupart sur l’Asie et les indigènes d’Amérique et d’Australie, en négligeant presque totalement l’Afrique. Les traditions africaines contiennent des messages symboliques et éthiques qui sont passés d’une génération à l’autre afin d’assurer le respect et la compassion pour les autres créatures vivantes avec lesquelles nous partageons le monde. Les paysans africains, fermiers et éleveurs, ont développé une importante connaissance interactive de l’environnement naturel. L’éthique environnementale indigène peut offrir des vues profondes pour rediriger le comportement des sociétés technologiques sur une voie plus renouvelable. L’article suggère ainsi qu’il importe de ne pas ménager les efforts pour promouvoir et diriger la continuation du dialogue, entre nations, religions et cultures, ainsi que la coopération dans le domaine de l’éthique environnementale, surtout entre l’éthique moderne et celle traditionnelle, afin de favoriser des relations mutuelles de développement entre l’homme et la terre. (shrink)