Sustainability: Issues in Political Philosophy, Theory, and Economy

This is an English language interdisciplinary class in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics concerning sustainability. We consider questions such as the following: What is the proper understanding of the concept of sustainability? What should be sustained and why? How can we compared sustaining economic goods and nature? Should natural preservation focus on valuing nature as resource? Are natural items valuable apart from their contribution to human well-being? Are current levels of global consumption consistent with sustainability?  Should environmentalism focus on egalitarian justice or de-growth?

This course involves and interdisciplinary approach to the subject matter. Readings will be drawn from a diverse range of authors in the fields including Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Students will be challenged by unfamiliar subject matter and unfamiliar approaches. Sometimes the texts will be very difficult.