| Description |
xix, 393 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Contents |
1. Tensions at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Conservation -- 2. The Making of Biodiversity -- 3. Why and Whence the Term Biodiversity? -- 4. Examining Biodiversity: Science Studies Meets Environmental History -- 5. Values -- 6. Costa Rica's National Institute of Biodiversity (INBio): Biodiversidad Central -- 7. Edward O. Wilson -- 8. Conclusion |
| Summary |
He takes readers to Costa Rica, where a group of scientists is using biodiversity to remake nature and society. And in an extended section, he profiles the thoughts and work of E. O. Wilson |
|
The Idea of Biodiversity analyzes what biodiversity represents to the biologists who operate in broader society on its behalf, drawing on in-depth interviews with the scientists most active today in the mission to preserve biodiversity, including Peter Raven, Thomas Lovejoy, Jane Lubchenco, and Paul Ehrlich. Takacs explores how and why these biologists shaped the concept of biodiversity and promoted it to society at large - examining their definitions of biodiversity; their opinions about spirituality and its role in scientific work; the notion of biodiversity as something of intrinsic value; and their views on biophilia, E. O. Wilson's idea that humans are genetically pre-disposed to love nature. Takacs also looks at the work of twentieth-century forerunners of today's conservation biologists - Aldo Leopold, Charles S. Elton, Rachel Carson, David Ehrenfeld - and points out their contributions to the current debates |
| Notes |
Includes index |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [345]-382) and index |
| Subject |
Biodiversity conservation -- Philosophy.
|
|
Biodiversity conservation.
|
| LC no. |
96015924 |
| ISBN |
0801854008 (hardback) |
|
