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A theory that emphasizes the interdependence of humans and the land. Aldo Leopold is a key philosopher in developing this concept.

A philosophical viewpoint arguing that human beings are the central or most significant species on the planet, often in a way that justifies the exploitation of natural resources for human benefit. Key philosophers include: Immanuel Kant and René Descartes.

An ecological and environmental philosophy promoting the inherent worth of living beings regardless of their instrumental utility to human needs. Arne Næss and George Sessions are key philosophers.

The belief that the well-being of the ecosystem as a whole should be the focus of moral and ethical concern. Proponents include Aldo Leopold and Holmes Rolston III.

A branch of aesthetics that focuses on the appreciation of natural environments as opposed to artificial or human-made environments. Key thinkers include Allen Carlson and Glenn Parsons.

A part of philosophy that studies the moral relationship of human beings to the environment and its non-human contents. Notable philosophers include: Peter Singer, Aldo Leopold, and J. Baird Callicott.

The value that an entity has in itself, for what it is, or as an end. Key philosophers who have discussed this concept include: Aldo Leopold and Gifford Pinchot.

A situation in a shared-resource system where individual users act according to their own self-interest and deplete or spoil shared resources through their collective action. The concept is famously discussed by Garrett Hardin.

The assignment of value to beings on the basis of their species membership alone. Peter Singer is a key figure in the discussion against speciesism.

A movement that focuses on the fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens. Key figures include: Robert D. Bullard and David Schlosberg.

A theory that attempts to explain cultural and societal development based on the physical environment, often critiqued for oversimplification. Important figures in its critique include Carl O. Sauer and Ellen Churchill Semple.

A branch of environmental ethics that eschews theoretical debates in favor of practical, consensus-based solutions to environmental issues. Bryan G. Norton is a notable proponent.

An environmental movement that advocates for the preservation of nature for its own sake, often in contrast to conservationism. Key figures include John Muir and Henry David Thoreau.

A philosophy that advocates for the responsible use and management of natural resources. Notable proponents include Gifford Pinchot and Theodore Roosevelt.

A branch of feminism that examines the connections between the suppression of women and the degradation of nature. Key philosophers include: Vandana Shiva and Carol J. Adams.

A principle that seeks to maintain ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources. Key authors include Gro Harlem Brundtland and Lester Brown.

A philosophy that emphasizes the importance of developing virtuous traits such as respect, humility, and care towards the environment. Notable figures include Ronald Sandler and Philip Cafaro.

A measure of how much an individual or society consumes in terms of the amount of land needed to support their lifestyle. Developed by Mathis Wackernagel and William Rees.

The view that all living organisms have moral status, regardless of their utility to humans. Paul W. Taylor and Albert Schweitzer are notable proponents.

A scientific hypothesis proposed by James Lovelock that postulates that the Earth functions as a self-regulating system.

An approach to environmental ethics that ascribes value to nature for reasons other than its usefulness to human beings. Key philosophers include: Arne Næss and Henry David Thoreau.

A term used to frame global warming as an ethical and political issue, rather than purely environmental or physical in nature. Important figures include Mary Robinson and Henry Shue.