The Preservation of Species

318 Pages·1986·15.803 MB·English

by  Bryan G. Norton

The Preservation of Species
This book was written under the auspices of the
Center for Philosophy and Public Policy,
University of Maryland
The Preservation
of Species
The Value of Biological Diversity
EDITED BY
BRYAN G. NORTON
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS
PRINCETON, NEWJERSEY
Copyright © 1986 by Princeton University Press
Published by Princeton University Press, 41 William Street,
Princeton, New Jersey 08540
In the United Kingdom: Princeton University Press, Guildford, Surrey
All Rights Reserved
Publication of this book has been aided by a grant from
the Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Fund of Princeton University Press
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data will be
found on the last printed page of this book
First Princeton Paperback printing, 1988
This book has been composed in Linotron Sabon and Gill Sans
Clothbound editions of Princeton University Press books
are printed on acid-free paper, and binding materials are
chosen for strength and durability. Paperbacks, although satisfactory
for personal collections, are not usually suitable for library rebinding
Printed in the United States of America by Princeton University Press
Princeton, New Jersey
For R. T.

Contents
Preface IX
Introduction 3
Part I: The Problem
Introduction to Part I 9
Species Leave the Ark One by One 13
Thomas E. Lovejoy
2 The Biology of Human-Caused Extinction 28
Geerat j. VermelJ
3 Social and Perceptual Factors in the Preservation of Animal Species 50
Stephen R. Kellert
Part II: Values and Objectives
Introduction to Part II 77
4 Human Preferences. Economics. and the Preservation of Species 79
Alan Randall
5 On the Inherent Danger of Undervaluing Species 110
Bryan G. Norton
6 On the Intrinsic Value of Nonhuman Species 138
j. Baird Callicott
7 Philosophical Problems for Environmentalism 173
Elliott Sober
8 Duties of Preservation 195
Donald H. Regan
Part III: Management Considerations
Introduction to Part III 223
vii
Contents
9 On the Susceptibility of Different Species to Extinction: Elementary
Instructions for Owners of a World 226
Lawrence B. Slobodkin
10 Species Protection and Management Decisions in an Uncertain World 243
Terry L Leitzell
11 Property Rights and Incentives in the Preservation of Species 255
Robert L. Carlton
Epilogue 268
Bryan G. Norton
Notes on Contributors 285
Selected Bibliography 289
Index 297
VlIl
Preface
The Center for Philosophy and Public Policy was established in 1976 at
the University of Maryland in College Park to conduct research into the
values and concepts that underlie public policy. Most other research into
public policy is empirical: it assesses costs, describes constituencies, and
makes predictions. The Center's research is conceptual and normative.
It investigates the structure of arguments and the nature of values relevant
to the formation, justification, and criticism of public policy. The results
of its research are disseminated through workshops, conferences, teaching
materials, the Center's newsletter, and books like this one.
The essays presented here grew from the deliberations of a working
group assembled by the Center. The group consisted of biological sci
entists, social scientists, attorneys, resource managers from both the pri
vate and public sector, and philosophers. The goals of the project were,
first, to examine and evaluate the various reasons that have been and
could be given for preserving nonhuman species from extinction and,
second, to grapple with the difficult problem of priorities—what should
be done when financial and other resources are insufficient to save all
species? It was assumed at the outset that a rational answer to the prior
ities question could only be stated in the context of a careful examination
of the reasons for preserving species.
The interdisciplinary group assembled was chosen in order to stimulate
new thinking about a recalcitrant subject, rather than to represent stand
ard, accepted positions. While we tried to ensure that all necessary tech
nical expertise was available in the group, we tended to choose repre
sentatives of the various professions and disciplines according to their
reputation for creative thinking over a range of problem areas, in pref
erence to narrow expertise on the problem at hand. We encouraged
members to think broadly, abstractly, and "philosophically" about the
applications of knowledge from the field of their expertise. We first gath
ered in Washington, D.C., on December 4, 1981, to discuss the scope
and objectives of the group, and each member accepted responsibility
for addressing the endangered species problem from a particular point
of view. We returned to Washington twice more to discuss each other's
first drafts. These discussions shed light from diverse disciplines upon
IX