Reconciling Science and Nature by means of the Aesthetical Contemplation of Natural Diversity

• Main Author: Jorge Marques da Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rosenberg & Sellier 2015-08-01
• Series: Rivista di Estetica
• Subjects: environmental ethics; environmental aesthetics; Allen Carlson; Holmes Rolston
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/estetica/340

In this paper, I argue that a reconciliation between science and nature is possible by way of the role played by ecological sciences on the aesthetical and ethical appraisal of natural diversity. First, I show that the aim of science – namely natural sciences – is to dominate nature and contend that environmental ethics was founded to support nature’s protection from the perils of science. I then show that when environmental ethics is supported by environmental aesthetics, a different role may be assigned to science. I start by building on Allen Carlson’s philosophical aesthetics to show that the aesthetical appraisal of nature requires a scientific understanding of the ecological processes. Finally, I refer to Holmes Rolston’s environmental ethics to show how nature’s ethical value may arise from Carlson’s peculiar aesthetic evaluation.