A complete overview of the theories, conceptual questions and ethical ramifications of what is involved when we appreciate natural beauty and nature.

The appreciation of nature and natural beauty demands our attention as environmental issues become ever more urgent. In this timely introduction, Glenn Parsons provides an overview of philosophical work on the aesthetics of nature, identifying key conceptual questions, clarifying central theories, and analyzing the ethical ramifications of our experience of natural beauty. Outlining five major approaches to understanding the aesthetic value of nature, this second edition explores the aesthetic appreciation of nature as it occurs in wilderness, in gardens, and in the context of appreciating environmental art. Now updated to cover recent developments in the field, it includes: · A new chapter on the sublime, the picturesque, and the beautiful · Expanded discussion of empirical and evolutionary accounts of nature appreciation, as well as the appreciation of the environment in non-Western cultures · A new chapter on the aesthetic appreciation of animals · An in-depth analysis of the appreciation of nature through cinema and photography · Discussion of the relation between environmental appreciation and climate change Combining a clear and engaging style with a sophisticated treatment of a fascinating subject, Aesthetics and Nature explores the aesthetic dimension of humanity's relationship with our physical surroundings. This a must-read for anyone who cares about nature and the future of our environment.

"Weaving together ideas from an impressively wide range of authors, this volume will be of remarkable value to newcomers and experts alike, across the Environmental Humanities. Glenn Parsons' writing is exceptionally clear and accessible, all while being precise and faithful to original sources. If there were only one book I could suggest on the topic, it would be this one." - Levi Tenen, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Kettering University, USA

"This text fills a critical omission in the discussion of aesthetics and nature. Parsons captures aesthetic approaches to nature and does so through an exhaustive list of genres such as painting, sculpture, film, literature and more. All the big names in the field are represented as well as movements and schools. The text is essential for scholars in the burgeoning field of literature and the environment, and groups such as the Association for Studies in Literature and the Environment." - Peter Quigley, Peter Quigley, Professor of English, retired, University of Hawaii, Manoa, USA