Wilderness in America: Philosophical Writings (Groundworks: Ecological Issues in Philosophy and Theology)

The purpose of this book is to remove the philosophical writings of Henry Bugbee from relative obscurity, making them more accessible to the wider public. Beginning with an introductory account of Bugbee’s “experiential naturalism,” the development of his thought is traced from his student writings in Part One to some select published writings in Part Two, followed by heretofore unpublished writings in Part Three. Part Four consists of an in-depth interview conducted during the twilight years of his life. The book concludes with a rich collection of appendices that are intended to shed light upon the unique person Bugbee in fact was. The end-in-view throughout has been to allow Bugbee the opportunity to speak in his own words and, when appropriate, through the words of others: those both familiar with the man as well as his philosophy. The philosophy of Henry Bugbee defies traditional academic categorization. Inspired by Heidegger and American transcendentalism, he was admired by the famous analytic philosopher Willard van Orman Quine, who described him as the ultimate exemplar of the examined life. Bugbee's writings are remarkably different from anything written in twentieth-century American philosophy, most famously in the journal-form of his best-known work, The Inward Morning. The beautifully written essays collected here show Bugbee's continuing commitment that "anyone who throws his entire personality into his work must to some extent adopt an aesthetic attitude and medium." Beginning with an introductory account of Bugbee's "experiential naturalism," this book brings Bugbee's early writings together with some of his most celebrated essays, as well as unpublished pieces, an extended interview, and a handful of tributes and reflections by others. Together, the book reintroduces a major thinker of nature, an environmental philosopher avant la lettre who has much to contribute to American and continental thought. Book jacket Introduction. Being In Nature : The Experiential Naturalism Of Henry G. Bugbee Jr. -- In Demonstration Of The Spirit (selections) -- The Sense And The Conception Of Being (selections) -- A Venture In The Open -- Thoughts On Creation -- Wilderness In America -- The Revolution In Western Thought : Another Step (1962) -- Nature And A True Artist (n.d.) -- A Way Of Reading The Book Of Job (1963) -- Notes On Objectivity And Reality (n.d.) -- Curriculum Vitae : The Course Of Life -- Letter From C. I Lewis (n.d. Ca 1951) -- Letter From John M. Anderson (august 9, 1950) -- Journal Entry (february 11, 1957) -- Alberty Borgmann, Henry - A Tribute -- The Splendor Of Rock Creek -- Upper Clark Fork : Rock Creek Fishing -- The Bugbee Nature Preserve -- Bugbee Nature Preserve - Named For Henry Greenwood Bugbee, M. D. (1879-1945) -- Philosopher - A Poem By Gary Whited -- Bruce Bugbee, For Henry -- Bugbee Annual Lectures. Henry Bugbee ; Edited By David W. Rodick. Includes Bibliographical References. The philosophy of Henry Bugbee defies traditional academic categorization. Though inspired by Heidegger and American Transcendentalism, he was also admired by the famous analytic philosopher Willard van Orman Quine, who described him as the ultimate exemplar of the examined life. Bugbee's writings are remarkably different in form and register from anything written in twentieth-century American Philosophy. The beautifully written essays collected here show Bugbee's continuing commitment that “anyone who throws his entire personality into his work must to some extent adopt an aesthetic attitude and medium.” Together, the book reintroduces a major thinker of nature, an environmental philosopher avant la lettre who has much to contribute to American and continental thought.