Sustainability: Economics, Ecology, and JusticeCan a livable society also be sustainable? How can we move beyond anthropocentrism without surrendering humanity's unique contribution to the globe? What of the contradictions conservative economics seems to reveal in so-called liberal approaches to economics and ecology? Does Christianity have anything to say about living in a world of limits? In 'Sustainability', John Cobb argues that reflections on ecological issues inevitably raise religious questions as well. Admittedly, traditional Christian teaching to "subdue" the earth had contributed to the mindset responsible for the crisis we are facing today. But Christianity can contribute to the discussion of how to keep the planet from ecological disaster. For one thing, Christianity can keep ecological issues closely tied to those of social justice -- a necessity for a sustainable society. Christianity can also make clear the need for individual change of heart (conversion) that is a prerequisite to real social and economic change. As the Earth Summit testified, our world stands in need of new visions, to nurture new ways of integrating its human, mineral, animal, vegetable, and energy components. 'Sustainability' is John Cobb at his best . . . timely, incisive, and vigorous. |
Contents
| 1 | |
| 7 | |
Ecojustice and Christian Salvation | 20 |
Can a Livable Society Be Sustainable? | 34 |
Economics and Ecology in the United States | 54 |
Policies for a SelfSufficient Industrial Economy | 70 |
Policies for a Sustainable Economy | 77 |
The Debate among Those beyond Anthropocentrism | 100 |
Hope on a Dying Planet | 119 |
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agribusiness agriculture American Amish animal rights animals anthropocentric arcology argue believe benefit Bible biblical changes Christ Christian Christian realism church cities concern context contribution costs countries course creatures deep ecologists destructive difficult drastic ecology economic welfare economists effects efficient energy environment farms feeling find first first-class passengers free trade future global goal God’s growth Herman Daly hope human ical imago dei important increase individual industrial inflicted influence intrinsic value issues justice justified killing labor less limits livable society live means move natural world ourselves Paolo Soleri participation planet policies political population possible poverty present problem production propose question realistic reason reduce reflected requires response sacrifice sense shift social social ecologists species speciesism specific subsistence suffering sufficient survival sustainable agriculture sustainable society tariffs theocentric theology thinking third-world tion United universal affluence vision workers