Considering De-Extinction: Zombie Arguments and the Walking (And Flying and Swimming) Dead. Issue 2 (4th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Katz, Eric
• Is Part Of: Ethics, policy & environment. Volume 25:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 103
• Publication Date: 2022-05-04
• Subjects: authenticity -- de-extinction -- design in nature -- domination of nature -- ecological restoration -- environmental management -- proxy species -- zombies; Environmental ethics -- Periodicals; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; 179.1
• DOI: 10.1080/21550085.2022.2071550
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2155-0085

Abstract

ABSTRACT: De-extinction raises anew ontological and epistemological problems that have engaged environmental philosophers for decades. This essay re-examines these issues to provide a fuller understanding—and a critique—of de-extinction. One of my claims is that de-extinction as a philosophical problem merely recycles old issues and debates in the field (hence, "zombie" arguments). De-extinction is a project that arises out of the assertion of human domination of the natural world. Thus the acceptance of de-extinction as an environmental policy is an expression of a human-nature relationship that disvalues the natural world and subjugates nature completely to the interests of humanity.