Skeptical Environmentalism: The Limits of Philosophy and Science

In Skeptical Environmentalism, Robert Kirkman raises doubts about the
speculative tendencies elaborated in environmental ethics, deep ecology, social
ecology, postmodern ecology, ecofeminism, and environmental pragmatism. Drawing on
skeptical principles introduced by David Hume, Kirkman takes issue with key tenets
of speculative environmentalism, namely that the natural world is fundamentally
relational, that humans have a moral obligation to protect the order of nature, and
that understanding the relationship between nature and humankind holds the key to
solving the environmental crisis. Engaging the work of Kant, Hegel, Descartes,
Rousseau, and Heidegger, among others, Kirkman reveals the relational worldview as
an unreliable basis for knowledge and truth claims, and, more dangerously, as
harmful to the intellectual sources from which it takes inspiration. Exploring such
themes as the way knowledge about nature is formulated, what characterizes an
ecological worldview, how environmental worldviews become established, and how we
find our place in nature, Skeptical Environmentalism advocates a shift away from the
philosopher's privileged position as truth seeker toward a more practical thinking
that balances conflicts between values and worldviews.