The Value of Life: Biological Diversity and Human Society

by Stephen R. Kellert

Book Overview

The Value of Life is an exploration of the actual and perceived importance of biological diversity for human beings and society. Stephen R. Kellert identifies ten basic values, which he describes as... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559633174
• ISBN13: 9781559633178
• Release Date: October 1995
• Publisher: Island Press
• Length: 282 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Comprehensive Intro. of Biodiversity and Human Interference

Kellert does a wonderful job of carefully exploring how humans define and perceive nature, respective of their cultural backgrounds, gender, economic status, et. al. His study, one that took a couple of decades to accomplish, provides readers with an abundance of information about bioligical diversity, ideas about biophilia, and ways in which we can lessen our destructive impact on the natural world.His discussion of the history, effectiveness, and ineffectiveness of the Endangered Species Act (one of the strongest sections of the book)is especially revealing in regard to problems that are encountered yearly in the environmental movement. One of Kellert's main organzing ideas is that we need to stop looking at biological diversity in purely economic terms. His research intimates that this mindset is changing, but it could be way too late. For anyone who is interested in environmental concerns, Kellert provides a wealth of perspectives to show the complexity of humans' interaction with the natural world. I highly recommend this work for readers who are concerned about the environment and for folks who should be concerned.