Ecoflourishing and Virtue (Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies)

This book brings together the interdisciplinary reflections of Christian scholars and poets, to explore how ecological virtues can foster the flourishing of our home planet in the face of unprecedented environmental change and devastation. Its central questions are: What virtues are needed for us to be better caretakers of our home planet? What vices must we extinguish if we are to flourish on the earth? What is the connection between such virtues and vices and the flourishing of all creatures? Each contribution offers insight on ecological virtue ethical questions through disciplinary lenses ranging from biology, geology, and economics, to literature, theology, and philosophy. The chapters feature the legacy and lessons of senior scholars reflecting on a lifetime of earthkeeping work, highlight global concerns and perspectives, and include compelling poetic reflections. Focusing on the way in which human vices and virtues drive so many of our ecological problems and solutions, the volume engages timely issues of environmental importance – such as environmental racism, interfaith dialogue, ecological philosophies of work and economics, marine pollution, ecological despair, hope and humility – encouraging fresh reflection and action. It will be of interest to those working in theology and religious studies, philosophy, ethics, and environmental studies. Cover Endorsements Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents List of Contributors Foreword Acknowledgments Credits Poetic Reflection: Materfamilias Introduction I: Gifts in Retrospection: Mentors in Ecoflourishing Poetic Reflection: Of This World 1. From Shenandoah to the Mountain West 2. Crossing Lehigh Gap: Discerning Christian Contributions and Misdirection in Wilderness Preservation 3. Beholding Earth through the Eye of Its Maker 4. Prophets and Poets: The Capture of the Creative Vision 5. A Table and a Planet: From Hearthkeeping to Earthkeeping Poetic Reflection: In the Garden II: Grounding Narratives of Ecoflourishing and Virtue: Stories Worth Telling Poetic Reflection: Disarm 6. When Good Christians Destroy the Earth: The Virtue of Limits and the Limits of Virtue 7. “Ecoflourishing” and Story: Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Hope 8. ‘I all-creation sing’: Christina Rossetti’s Cosmic Liturgy and Challenge to Anthropocentrism 9. John Muir, Deep Time, and the Hope of Ecoflourishing Poetic Reflection: Homes for Prayer III: Biblical and Theological Soundings: Ecological Ruin, Restoration, and Community Virtues Poetic Reflection: Humphrey’s Basin 10. Subverting Metaphor, Transforming Identity: An Eco-Anthropological Analysis of Job’s Shift from Ruler to Member of the Creation Community 11. Paul, Generosity, and Ecological Flourishing 12. Ecoflourishing: Life, Death and Natural Disasters Poetic Reflection: San Rafael Mountain IV: Global Ecoflourishing: Biospheric, Intercultural, and Interreligious Poetic Reflection: A Common Sight 13. Interdisciplinary Voices of the Ecoflourishing ‘Glocal’ Dialogue from Non-Western Cultural and Literary Perspectives 14. Becoming Citizens of the Biosphere: Character, Ecoflourishing, and Control in Our Newfound Common Home 15. Becoming Human, Intercultural, and Inter-creational: Movements toward Achieving Ecoflourishing Poetic Reflection: The Family Is All There Is V: Philosophical Remedies: Relationship, Work, Economy Poetic Reflection: Still Life 16. Primary Encounters: Relational Ontology and Ecoflourishing 17. Toward a Christian Ecological Philosophy of Work 18. Fairy Tales and True Stories: Economic Talk for Ecological Flourishing Poetic Reflection: Shiversong VI: Virtue and Vice in Ecological Practice: Confronting Current Challenges Poetic Reflection: Garden 19. The Christian Ethics of Waste, Contaminants, and Emerging Pollutants in Marine Ecosystems 20. Reconciling the Food Chain with the Great Chain of Being: A Philosopher’s Reflection on Raising Sheep for Meat 21. Justice, Biocentrism, and White Supremacy: John Muir’s Romantic Christian Ethics 22. The Virtue of Intersectionality in Environmental Ethics Poetic Reflection: Forebears Conclusion Index