Twenty-one years ago, Andrew Light and Eric Katz published Environmental Pragmatism, focused on the question of what actual help philosophers could be in addressing environmental problems. They argued that the discipline of environmental ethics had become too focused on points both esoteric and dogmatic, undermining its ability to engage communities and effect policy change. The emergence of Environmental Pragmatism thus called for moral pluralism, less time spent on theoretical debate, and more time spent on placing practical issues of policy in the foreground. Some but not all of the contributors to the volume found inspiration in the classical American pragmatists, but they were all working toward a more practical engagement with the problems. This panel will revisit and explore various aspects of the development of Environmental Pragmatism since Light and Katz's volume, including how it is related to current conceptual notions such as the Anthropocene and rewilding, and on pragmatic strategies for forging coalitions to guide policy, especially with regard to the Trump administration and climate change.

Note: if it is possible, Albert Spencer requests our session be scheduled on the first day of the conference due to his travel plans.

 Panel Chair:

Jennifer McErlean (Siena College)

 Panel Presenters:

David Henderson (Western Carolina University), "Pragmatic Conceptions of Nature in the Anthropocene." 

Albert Spencer (Portland State University), “Engaging Coal Country: Pragmatic Strategies for Eco-Justice”

Steve Fesmire (Green Mountain College), “Rescuing the Sustainability Movement (and Our Democracy) from Moral Fundamentalism.”  Tentative, Steve is trying to work out scheduling.  If he is unable to attend, I will invite another or step in myself.

Andrew Light (George Mason University, World Resources Institute), Response