Philosophy

Finding Our Place in Nature argues that Aristotelian philosophy provides a much needed ethical foundation for the environmental sciences and for our daily commitment to practices of sustainability. Shearman challenges previously held interpretations of Aristotle’s value to the grounding of environmental ethics. He demonstrates that Aristotelian philosophy is a valuable and under-appreciated resource for any student-citizen who requires ethically persuasive reasons—both for pursuing environmental science in the first place and for grounding our social practices as citizens.

Epictetus (c. 50-c. 120 CE) was born a slave. His master, Epaphroditus, allowed him to attend the lectures of the Stoic philosopher Musonius Rufus and later gave him his freedom. From numerous references in his Discourses it is clear that Epictetus valued freedom as a precious possession. He would have been on the side of the many people living now who, while not actually enslaved, are denied true freedom by the harsh circumstances of their lives.

Lucretius (c. 99 BCE?c. 55 BCE) is the author of De Rerum Natura, a work which tries to explain and expound the doctrines of the earlier Greek philosopher Epicurus. The Epicurean view of the world is that it is composed entirely of atoms moving about in infinite space.

Quotations from the writings of Jalaluddin Mohammad Rumi, translated from the Persian by Zahra Partovi. Published by Vincent FitzGerald & Company.

An exhibition of Rumi works by Vincent FitzGerald & Co. was on view in 2012 at the Melbert B. Cary, Jr. Graphic Arts Collection.